the facial

For my birthday, I was given 2 certificates for a facial at a place here in Chandler. These certificates were donated for a charity auction, but no one bid, so Randy purchased them. I had always wondered what a facial would be like. Some of my "uppity" friends had raved about them. But I am a simple girl. Besides, I half knew that if I tried one facial, there would be no turning back. I would only want more. They had an expiration date on them, and I found myself making an appointment, even though I had no idea what I was in for.

The phone call scared me a little. The receptionist was Spanish and I could hardly understand her thick accent. I suddenly got an image in my mind of the health clinic I took our kids to when we first moved to Chandler. We were new in town and I didn't know where to go, to get updated shots for school. To be fast, we headed to what I will call "the scary place". (I quickly gathered the kids up and left!) . . . So, the appointment was made for 10:30 on Thurstay. I was so worried, I rehearsed in my mind what I would say before I committed to do anything. What if the place was dirty? What if they only did Lazar treatments? What if powerful chemicals were used by people with shaky hands? I actually pictured myself walking out of there, too.

When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised. Clean. New. Decorative fountains in the waiting area. And, of course, the mood music. (That's not really the ocean, is it?) So, I signed in and picked up a brochure of treatments. After visiting with the receptionist, (not Spanish) I chose the least chemically abrasive one. (I still owed them $!) The receptionist turned into the facial girl, and shortly, I was called back.

She led me to a small darkish room with a white sheeted bed and pillow, next to a corner table covered with lots of bottles and jars. I laid down and she proceeded to wrap my hair in a towel. (Great. So much for the hair do!) I noticed the mood music volume went up and the lights dimmed. Then, after positioning a big bright light over my face, she went over the form I had filled out. We talked about different ailments their services could help with. She even had a solution for arthritis that by dipping your feet in water with sea salt, it could vacuum out toxins. . . I have sea salt in my kitchen cupboard and imagined giving myself the little treatment for free - until she told me you are hooked up to some kind of machine. (I'll put that treatment on the end of my bucket list for now.) Then she talked about the differences in facials they offered. That was helpful. Already, I'm putting the pieces together for maybe a next time.

As she talked, she was very gentle and it did feel great. . . until she got to the part about snake serum. "Wha?" (my eyes popped open!) "Oh no. I probably wouldn't be interested! Thanks, anyway", I said, trying to look relaxed, since I know she'd gone to a lot of trouble with the mood music thing, and the lighting. It was hard to keep my eyes closed after that. She kept rubbing, though, and explained that it really worked. She brushed on a mask and, like a mother, putting her baby down for a nap, walked softly to the door, saying she'd be back in 10 minutes.

No, I wasn't ready for a nap. Thanks to the thought of her serum remedy, I probably wouldn't be tired for days! I tried to listen for the ending of the ocean piece playing.(Did you know that guy can play forever without a break?) When she finally came back, she was surprised to find me awake. (Whatever!) She sat back down and adjusted the bright light once again. More fragrant creams and rubbing made my eyes close. Then she said, "Now, look up." She had a Q tip and was patting it under my eyes and along the outside of my lips. Everything felt so good. It smelled great, too.

After 45 minutes, the facial was over. I sat up slowly and grabbed my purse. I thanked her for her time and explanations of things. I smiled brightly as she opened the door. Then, before I floated out, she said, "I did put put some of the snake serum around your eyes and lips" . . . I almost collapsed! (Lucky for both of us I was on my way out!) I wished her a good day, trying NOT to lick my lips, and stopped to admire myself in every mirror to the door. My hair was going to be fine and I did have a glowing face. I even thought about never wearing make up again. I walked out to the car, stopping to admire my reflection in the hot window. Yep, still glowing! I jumped in the drivers seat and took another close up look in the rear view mirror. Beautiful. And suddenly my eyes crossed, my nose scrunched up and I heard this sound coming from my mouth . . ."ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!"