Bathrobes, Onions and Plants

On Monday, Christos and I spent all afternoon at a spa.  Yes, that is how we roll.  Ha!  Actually, back in June, I splashed out and purchased a package for Kristal and Makis and a package for Christos and myself for the guys' birthday.  I researched all the spas in Corfu online, visited a handful, and fanagled an outstanding deal for the four of us.  Christos and I just managed to get around to going on Monday.  We were not disappointed.

It was AMAZING!!!!

We padded around in our comfy robes and slippers, swam laps in the indoor pool, were enthralled by the wonderfulness that was the hydrotherapy pool, drank ginger-honey-lime tea, lay in the sun, walked the beautiful grounds, had a snack on the seaside, and, of course, were pampered by our treatments.  All in all, it was a fantastic day.  (We were way too busy relaxing/ enjoying/ being soaking wet to take pictures.  But, I did get us in our get-ups.  I HAD to get my always adorable and handsome husband in his outfit.  How many people can make a waffle bathrobe look good??)

I have to take a minute and talk about this hydrotherapy pool.  I used to say, if I was ever wealthy, my first indulgence would be a personal masseuse.  I may have changed my mind.  I want one of these pools.  Basically, you can go from station to station and massage any part of your body that you like.  There are underwater jets all over the pool at different levels starting from the bottoms of your feet, to your ankles, to your calves, all the way up.  They are not just ordinary jacuzzi jets.  The pressure is crazy heavy and awesome...even for me, who can never really be massaged hard enough.  Then, they have these overhead faucets that pound down heavy streams of water that you can aim at your neck, shoulders, and upper back.  HEAVEN!!!!  I SO needed that (and poor Christos's hands needed a break from doing the job.)  My back sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies...utter bliss.  What makes it all even (almost) better than a real massage is that you can maneuver yourself around of your own accord so that the water hits you at just the right angle.  Aaaaahhh!!

 My favorite part of the day was when I made Christos go try out the sauna.  Due to the pregnancy, I had to fore-go the sauna and steam room, but I wanted Christos to see what it was all about as he had never been in one.  After a couple of minutes, I wandered over that way to check on him.  There was a glass window, and I could see him in there, hands on knees, looking down, like a dejected child who had been scolded and sent to the corner.  He saw me and said, "Lini, it is really hot.  It is too hot in here."  It was so sad and pathetic.  Even now, I cannot stop laughing at the image.  I hadn't explained anything to him, he had no idea what the sauna was about, and I made him go climb in this hot wooden box alone and just sit there.  I really can't stop laughing at the idea that he was just sitting there, sweating, waiting patiently for me to allow him out.  I explained him it would open up and clean out his pores and he brightened at the idea and decided to stay on and man it out (for about 2 more minutes.)  

So, the spa day was a success.  That is a good thing, as we probably cannot afford another one for about another decade. 

In other news, a couple of days ago I made Christos pull over when I spotted these on the side of the road.

 

Are y'all familiar with these?  We call them "money plants" and they are a wonderful memory from my childhood.  Mimi (my dad's mom) always had them down at her house at the lake.  I remember so vividly both her having them around the house and being infinitely entertained by them.

When you pick them, they look like this.

Then, you have the pleasure of removing the outer shell (like two little paper leaves) of each little "coin" and revealing the beautiful, shiny treasure inside. 

To take off the outer leaves, you pinch the whole "coin" between your thumb and forefinger and then rub those fingers back and forth. They come off easily, and have little pods inside.

The actual removal part is one of those satisfying activities along the lines of popping bubble rap.  Only, this is better, because, instead of deflated plastic, your reward are these pretty little leaves.

And, when the light actually hits them, they really are shiny.

They last forever, so after you have your fun, you can arrange them in a vase and look at your fun "money plant."

As a side note, if I found a real money plant, I would totally make myself a hydrotherapy pool....and get a masseuse. 

Last, I have three random pregnancy updates:
1)  I have never been a huge fan of butter, but now I think it may be the best tasting thing on the planet.
2)  I do not remember taking a shower always having felt this amazing.  Lately, not a lot makes me happier than warm water on my back!
3)  Has anyone else felt that their fingers constantly smell like onion, regardless of when they last handled one??