Victorian Spa & Wellness Center- very impressive

I booked myself a well-deserved facial treatment at the Victorian Spa & Wellness Center in Troy. I scheduled my appointment without knowing anything about this spa. I prefer experiencing new places without prior expectations which was the same way I joined the Marine Corps back in the 70s.  I remember walking into the Marine Corps recruiting office and I let it be known to the fine Marine in his crisp, sharp Blues uniform that I was ready to sign up right then.  Today, I was 'game' to have my facial at the Victorian Spa & Wellness Center, and I can honestly say I was very satisfied, delighted, and impressed with my visit from beginning to end.

The entrance

First of all, the entrance door is safely unlocked by a staff member when the outside ringer is sounded. That's nice- no unwanted surprises or intrusions to anyone inside trying to relax.  Once inside, there's a retail area and a natural supplements area. Everything looked to be in good taste, but since I arrived just in time for my appointment time, I had no time to browse in these very inviting areas. I'll be sure to arrive earlier next time. The friendly receptionist was at the front desk and I saw facial and beauty literature and products I will have to check out later.

Retail &wellness area-complete with loose teas & supplements

My first visit...
I was greeted and taken through another secure door, once again giving me that secure  feeling, then down a short hallway to a room I privately changed from my street clothes and into a spa wrap and a thick robe and slippers. I stored all my personal belongs in a cubical cabinet which I locked and kept the key in my robe pocket.  Then, I was escorted to a large  "quiet room".  Let me tell you, this is one of those rooms you want to stay in. This is where I thought this is really nice to actually be in Troy, Alabama. Three huge, white lounge chairs lined one wall. Very nice. I was told I could make myself comfortable, and try any of the various coffees, teas, and finger foods that were set out to choose from.  A virtual fireplace on another wall caught my attention, as well as a thick, white rug on the floor in front of it.  Hanging art work with what looked to be water streaming down also added to the room's peaceful ambiance. I glanced at some literature and products on display shelves and thought how nice everything looked.  The lighting by floor lamps wasn't glaring, so overall this made for a warm, comforting room to be in.  I thought if libraries, supposedly 'quiet places' were furnished in any manner similar to this 'quiet room', I promise more people would be flocking into libraries. I know, I used to live in a library practically every weekend during my college years.

                         

Relax in the "quiet room"

Meeting the esthetician ...
This was my first time to the Victorian Spa & Wellness Center, so I completed forms answering questions on my general health, any past and present skin problems, and such. Then Tory, owner and licensed esthetician entered, introduced herself, and took me to one of her treatment rooms.  The treatment room was absolutely gorgeously furnished.  Tory instructed me to disrobe and lay on my back on the table between the sheets.  I think I saw a blanket on the table, but I didn't need it.  The table is well worth mentioning because it was curved, not a flat table. This curved table was very comfortable for me while on my back with lower my legs slightly elevated. I was impressed. And, the table was warmed perfectly the entire time. I believe the temperature at my feet might have been slightly warmer than the rest of my body. All in all, I was neither too hot, nor too cold, but just right. So far, I felt like I'd already been treated, and I hadn't even had the facial yet.

The facial room- see the curved table I liked so much?

My HydraFacial treatment....
I chose the facial treatment I thought fit my skin's needs, called the" HydraFacial".  And let me tell you, it made my face, my skin, my mind, all of me- feel as though I was having a delightful experience- one which I should be treating myself to on a regular basis. I would be a happier person if I had this to look forward to every few months or so. I was having a little sinus congestion, but it cleared up quickly once my face was misted with warm steam. Then my face was cleansed. Then suctioning, which I really liked- I think it lifts dead skin cells and impurities out of my pores. Then, Tory massaged my face like I've never had it massaged before. 'Nice' just isn't descriptive enough to describe how having your face massaged feels. I'm sure the facial products she used had something to do with it also. All I can say is, the face massage Tory gave is one of those things mere words can't convey, and you wouldn't believe how wonderful it is until you have one yourself. It's a combined feeling of peace, wellness, bliss, pleasure, pampering, and warmth that perforates throughout your being.  Then, warm towels were ever so strategically placed over my upper chest, neck and face. The feeling was ahhhhh!  I know for a fact that I dozed a few times, even though I wanted not to.  Next, Tory did some extractions. This was not at all painful.  Then, more warm towels. Tory worked on my face the entire hour. At the conclusion of my facial, she instructed me to slowly get up and off the table.  I felt as if I'd been asleep for half the night and my face felt like baby's skin. My face felt deeply moisturized and smooth deep down, and not just on the surface. It felt dewy without being shiny or irritated or red. Facials I've had in the past would require a day for my face to recuperate and settle down from the treatment. This HydraFacial allowed me to go out in public right away. My skin looked terrific. I was very impressed.

After my facial, I went back to the 'quiet room'. I was the only one in there so I made myself comfortable and thought I so glad Vicky and Tory, Mother and daughter, chose to open such a classy business in Troy and not in Montgomery, Birmingham, Auburn or Dothan. I'm sure they considered opening in a larger town, and it must have been special consideration that chose Troy, a smaller city, to open their Victorian Spa & Wellness Center. Let people in larger cities to learn about of this jewel of a place- and let them drive here.  Then, while I was changing back into my clothes, my thoughts were I must write about my first Victorian Spa visit. This has been such a pleasant treat for me from the friendly, courteous, and cordial staff, to the atmosphere and the excellent service. It could not have been any better. I asked for a tour and found every room to be more impressive than the room before. There is a manicure room, a pedicure room, and two other rooms in addition to the chair at the end of one hall for applying make-up and ear piercings.  Even the restrooms were charmingly decorated and furnished, as I noted attention to detail there as well, like a basket of female essentials and toiletries.

                                         

The pedicure room- see the water fountain in the corner?

Chair and vanity for make-up application and ear piercing

Manicure room

Just one of the restrooms-this one also has a shower

My concluding observations.....
My photos don't do justice showing the interior rooms. All the little details made it special, from the lighting, water fountains, displays...to the thick bath robe and storage locking cubicles. I was very impressed from the front desk to the restrooms and everything in-between. As a past business owner, I know an awful lot of planning and hard work went into making the Victorian Spa & Wellness Center the fine establishment I have now experienced it to be. I have no doubt this business, providing skilled professional services in a peaceful atmosphere will grow and do very well.

I'm also impressed with the menu of services describing various facials, manicures, pedicures, acne treatments, even a gentleman's facial.  Services range from $28 to $145 depending on the service and how long it lasts.  Other services offered are infrared sauna, turbosonic, foot detox, body massage, wraps and scrubs. These services range from $35 to $118, again depending on the service and time, which could last from 30 minutes up to 90 minutes. I would surely be sound asleep.

I can tell you I am stashing a few dollars every week into my "Spa" envelope for my next anticipated appointment. And, I'm so glad I don't have to travel further than Troy.

                                                              ********

     The Spa is easy to locate near Walker's Western Wear off Hwy 231 North.

                   Victorian Spa & Wellness Center
          107 Pecan Street in Troy, Alabama   36081
                    334-566-1287    by appointment
                      their website will be up soon.


Bonus-The turbosonic and the infrared sauna are two services worth investigating in the wellness room. The first four times are free to try them and then you can book a series. Call for more info. I'm going to blog later about my experiences with these services, so check back later about my experiences. By now, you know I'm game.

Infrared sauna (you sit in it) & the turbosonic (you stand on it) 

By the way, initially I wanted to join the Air Force to be an air traffic controller. My Dad worked in the 70's in Boulder, Colorado at an Air Traffic Control Center which kept track of all air traffic over the western United States. I was so impressed with the room with colorful scopes the air traffic controllers sat viewing and tracking air traffic. It was too cool.  I decided that's what I would like to do someday. And did pursue that dream, for some unknown reason, I was turned down after going completing a special military entrance physical for air traffic controllers. The final verdict was I wasn't tall enough. That hurt.  So, I decided I'd join the Marine Corps since I couldn't help but notice the Marines in their uniforms every time I went to the recruiting center. I decided I'd join 'open contract', meaning I'd fill whatever occupation the Corps needed me in. I ended up working on electrical systems of A4M jets. I worked on those jets alright- all over the cockpit, I simulated flight in them, I crawled around almost every inch of those jets to pull out and replaced components. There were miles of electrical wire throughout making every instrument and component function. I could always tell an A4M Skyhawk (my squadron had VL on the tail) just by their sound overhead and every time I thought I had just worked on that jet and now it's in the air flying a mission.  No, none crashed because of me. So, I wasn't an air traffic controller, but instead I got to be up close and personal with aircraft, pilots and others all working to keep A4M's maintained and safe for flight missions.  I was 'game' to go in 'open contract' into the service and I had an interesting run and great four year experience serving my country in the Marine Corps. Glad I was too short.

This short, female, former Marine knows a fantastic facial when she gets one.                            GO GET YOURS!

Be sure to visit my other blog. I welcome you to leave your comments below anytime.

Shrimp, sea beans and kumquats

My recent weekend with friends to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan this month included eating shrimp, being introduced to sea beans and kumquat pie. It was a beautiful day to be at the National Shrimp Festival, and the smell in the air on the Gulf Coast made it impossible to not want to try something I hadn't had before. With all the shrimp, I couldn't help but think what was the name of Forrest Gumps' shrimp boat?  (The answer is below).

There were plenty of vendors cooking shrimp and other sea food fixins'- you could have shrimp on a stick or in a plate with lobster, gator, crab, oysters, coconut, onion rings, and the list went on and on.  Below you can view a display of enticing food behind screens at one of the busy food vendors and menus on overhead signs. I managed to snap these photos when I wasn't eating my fill.

Sea beans, also known as 'drift seed' or 'drift fruit' are not edible,  and interestingly, these beans are from trees and had probably floated hundreds, if not thousands of miles riding ocean currents before washing up on the shore of Fort Morgan, located just a few miles from Gulf Shores.

Below is the sea bean collection my friend proudly showed she had found while combing the beach.  You can see a couple 'sea beans' have been made to wear as a necklace.

 I've walked on a few beaches at San Francisco, Daytona Beach, Siesta Key Beach at Sarasota, Florida, and Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle in North Carolina looking for seashells, sea glass, drift wood, or anything that looked interesting. I don't remember seeing anything looking like 'sea beans', nor had I ever same upon any large, whole sea shells, but plenty smaller ones. Other treasures like a lost diamond or gold ring, or maybe even a message in a bottle, or some other treasure brought in by the tide and left in the wrack,  I was never fortunate to find, I'm sure others are luckier in their treasure hunting on the beach,  but not me.  This weekend was the first I'd heard about sea beans or even saw sea bean jewelry or heard there are collectors and traders and actual sea bean conventions. Imagine that!   I've also discovered that there are also edible 'sea beans' which I am going to be looking in the produce idle for this green 'veggie' the next time I grocery shop. I have to try some- might be crunchy in a green salad.


And then, there was kumquat refrigerator pie for dessert. My first and certainly not my last. I think it's up there with key lime pie for a light, warm weather to cool you off dessert.  Aside from getting the seeds out to puree the cute, little kumquats, it was a cinch to make. Five ingredients- pie shell, kumquats, lemon juice, condensed milk and cool whip.   I found the recipe online for this kumquat refrigerator pie.

I never would have imagined kumquats make such a delightful pie. Delicious. See what a nice pie I had below.

All in all, I think it was a super weekend! Any weekend around friends and food is good!


Answer- Forrest Gump named the boat 'Jenny'.
Then later, he had a fleet of Bubba Gump Shrimp Company shrimp boats.

Chaz, not everything is changeable

In the news recently is Chaz Bono, formerly Chastity Bono, the used-to-be-daughter-but-now-son born of Sonny Bono, now deceased, and his wife at the time, Cher.  I remember cute, little Chastity on TV back in the 70s, at the end of her parents' hour long comedy show being held in Sonny's arms. They made a cute family standing together being viewed by millions every week.  Chastity really was an adorable little girl. In all probability she could've grown to be a very attractive woman,  but rather today she/he chose the path to be altered to the opposite gender, and now looks like a heavy-set male with soft, feminine facial features and womanly hands.
 
Here's an interview with Chasity/Chaz about transgender change


I was thinking.........

Chaz can't change her bone structure , but the fat and soft tissues around bone can change with hormones, exercise, and weight loss or gain.  Compare the bone structure of a man's to a woman's, For instance, compare pelvic bones. Compare the rib cage and torso, the neck, the head, feet, and facial structures underneath soft tissues give either soft female and male features and characteristics.  All different.  Mind you sometimes the differences can be very subtle, but for the most part, if you study forensics or anatomy, those differences help determine the gender of a body.  Chaz wants to be a male, but she/he can't change everything about her/his body and be a real male.


      See the differences of a man's vs woman's hand?

Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com

 
Hormones do play a very important role in gender and sex of the human body.  For some time, Chaz has medically been injected with more male hormones to overpower the female hormones in her/his body giving the obvious, male physical  characteristics like a deepened voice, bulky muscle mass and male hair growth patterns.  But you can't ever change the fact that Chaz was a normal healthy, female first, with chromosomes of a female. That can't be undone or forgotten or changed.  Chaz will have to continually take hormones to keep displaying male physical characteristics.


 I was thinking if this might be confusing to her/his body and brain?  Only Chaz knows or will know.


No matter what the brain thinks it wants, however you were formed in uteri, is the 'original' material you will always have to deal with and consider. That is a fact that can't be overlooked, erased or ignored.  Mankind with just enough knowledge to deviate some degree away from the 'original' and try to act like God, can never make a new 'original'.  Chastity was female when she was born, and as long as she/he is occupying that body, she/he is locked into what God created her as in uteri. and that fact stands no matter how many hormones or operations she undergoes.  She/he has undergone drastic physical changes, but Chaz will never in her/his lifetime experience being a complete male.  She/he can only be less feminine, but never a full man.


The photo below shows typical male and female physical characteristics- a male has a stronger angled jaw and brow bones, heavier, thicker facial hair, a longer torso, larger ears ,an Adam's apple, and a narrower pelvis.  A female typically has softer facial features,  a shorter torso, and a wider set pelvic bones.


Photo credit: azrikhan from morguefile.com


I wonder what sort of medical challenges Chaz, or anyone who's undergone gender-switching, will have to contend with in the future?


God has the title 'Creator' all to Himself. He alone makes the original and no one can alter that fact.



I am not making any statements against any one's personal wishes. I wish the original Chastity, altered to be Chaz, the best.


Here is more interesting content can read about on sex reassignment/transgender change.

Products and people- from sturdy to flimsy

Have you noticed the change? Cereal and laundry detergent boxes aren't as big as they used to be. Dog food bags are either thinner or smaller as well. I've noticed canned food cans are slightly smaller. Even aerosol cans are smaller in diameter.  Manufacturers have made ever-so-slightly packaging changes in hopes consumers wouldn't notice the downsizing.  

Products don't hold up as long neither. I can't find a can opener that will last longer than 6 months before I need a new one. I had bought my Mom a name brand hand-held mixer, thinking surely it would last a number of years, but after a couple months she told me the beaters kept falling out. In my kitchen, I still toast my bread using an old vintage toaster I bought from an antique shop back in the late 70's during my Marine Corps days. It's got one of those round, black electrical cords and ticks when it's toasting, but it works just as good as the first time I toasted in it-no telling how old it is. Things are made of lesser quality material now. My latest vehicle doesn't have a metal body all around. Some of the body panels are fiberglass. Wow! That's very comforting knowing I'm protected with fiberglass against an oncoming logging truck. Why use flimsier, lesser quality materials to in a vehicle? I know-it's about making it lighter for better fuel consumption. Well, the truth be told, when products were made with sturdier material they lasted much longer.

                           My trusty old toaster is still toasting my bread over 30 years

Not only have products changed, so have values, moral, and attitudes of people. I'm sure many other people my age or older have noticed this as well. We can compare and see the younger generations aren't carrying forward many ideas us older folk were taught, lived by and hold sacred. The younger generations march to a different drum beat or something different. And that something isn't very comforting or what I call being good, solid, values and morals.  

The following is part of an email on senior citizens I received.


Upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement or
God out of government and school.
And we certainly are NOT  the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country. 
Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!
 ------------------------------------------------End of email.



I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking, "what's happened?"  Good, solid, sturdy, things are now made flimsy, and the strong fortitude, backbone, commitment and convictions people used to posses and exhibit have also become 'flimsy. This is becoming a 'wimpy world'

What do you think about this?

Relaxing in fresh water

My last posting was on Leisure Diving and so I had a longing to get in some water myself. So a friend and I took a short trip to Morrison Springs in Walton County, Florida. It's a natural fresh water spring that is beautiful. It's cool water is too cool for alligator or snakes, so it makes for some nice time in the water in a natural setting without fear of any unwanted reptiles hanging around.

Here are some photos I snapped while there. Of course scuba divers were diving down into the caves of the springs. I think that would be fun, too,  but I can't scuba dive. Regardless, it was enjoyable getting wet and cooled down in the cool, fresh, clear, spring water. The opening to the spring was located a few feet to the left of the floating deck. If you can see the water is slightly darker a few feet to the left of the deck in the second picture below. I heard it went down 80 feet. Surrounded by cypress trees, there was lots of sun, splashing, kayaks, canoes, swimming and paddle boarding, but no leisure diving going on, doggone it!

Hope you're having a nice time relaxin somewhere.

I like this diving!

I don't know how I found this site but I love it. LeisureDive.com.   
What I find so cool is the 'leisurely look' while you're jumping into a pool or something soft. I was thinking, could I look cool jumping into a pool? And also important is the photographer has to snap the picture at just the right moment and it can't be blurred.

 I was thinking what I could do for my leisure dive shot.... I came up with a few ideas.

1. Have arms outstretched as if yawning with my eyes closed.
2. Dive off backwards with my arms behind my head and my legs crossed.
3. Have my dog jump first then me dive in afterwards like I'm trying to catch his leash.
4. Casting a fishing line while diving and looking leisurely.

I wish I could come up with more ideas.  How about you?  Have any ideas for a leisure dive ?


This is my old way to dive. I think leisure diving is much more classy and creative, don't you?

Diving in the old fashion way

Photo credit: d3designs from morguefile.com

The gentle, country plumber

Have you ever had to call upon the services of a plumber? Have you ever had to call twice in one week? I recently had and the experience turned out to be a very pleasant one in the end.

I needed a bathroom toilet repaired as soon as possible as it had been leaking apparently for some time without my knowledge and caused floor damage hidden under the carpeting.  I called a recommended plumber who lived not too far from me in the country. But I was so sleepy and tired that I couldn't stay awake while the plumber was in the bathroom doing his repairs.

Bathrooms can have slow leaks and mess up your flooring

Photo credit: jade from morguefile.com

When I woke up, the plumber was gone. He left without getting paid and I couldn't find where he'd left an invoice.  I called his phone number and his wife answered and said he knew that I was asleep, so he didn't wake me.  Wow!  Now that would have never happened if I lived in the city. I called him again that week because I thought the toilet was leaking again. He came out again and checked, but it was dry and he offered to do the work to replace some of my flooring as well. What good skills to have. I lucked up on a nice, country plumber.

In the country I find there's extended and exercised a little more trust between people than in the city.  I like that. I did drive over and paid him the next week plus a tip for being so thoughtful, along with a jar of homemade jelly to his wife.