“Democracy works, America, but we gotta want it, not just during an election year, but all the days in between. …If you want more justice in the justice system, then we’ve all got to vote, not just for a president, but for mayors and sheriffs and state’s attorneys and state legislators.”
This was one of my favorite quotes from President Obama’s DNC speech. I’m not going to pretend I don’t feel overwhelmingly passionate about the outcome of the presidential election, but it’s concerning to me to think how much attention has to be diverted to this particular branch of government from other issues on the ballot. For example, mine will also have 18 measures on it, and 12 candidates for 5 other races. Keep Reading >
I tend to have a highly sensitive bullsh*t meter when it comes to spa treatments. Aside from massages—which generally have a real-time, tangible result, I have very low expectations on claims of efficacy. This, believe it or not, takes very little away from my ability to enjoy said treatments. There’s something about the ritual of it all that is, in itself, so pleasurable. I think it’s a pleasure that comes from knowing I’m doing some special, with the sole goal of feeling good.
Spa culture is fairly new to me. My first massage was in Thailand on our honeymoon. I didn’t grow up getting pedicures or using saunas, and I’d never been to a spa before the age of 28. So there’s plenty that still feels very novel to me.
Case in point: Aron and I went to Indian Springs in Calistoga last week for a one-night getaway. The kids stayed with grandparents—an amazing treat!—and we drove over the hills into the Napa valley. It’s only about 90 minutes away, but we felt much further away. On this hot, dry day, the resort, with its thermal geysers and mineral pools, could have easily been in Southern California—or even Mexico.
It was the perfect escape, with little on the agenda but soaking, floating, relaxing (with a brief interruption by a debate full of interruptions), and some spa treatments. Aron signed both of us up for the mud bath, followed by a couples massage. (Hip, hip!)
We checked in and went to our respective locker rooms and then, even though we were together for the massage, had to wait to debrief on the experience until two hours later.
There’s a part of me that can’t believe I’m already asking this, but: Any plans for Halloween costumes this year? We’re still in the planning phase, though astronaut and lion are the current favorites from the kids. I had a sense that last year might be our last year for a family-themed costume, but who knows? They’re still my favorite.
So in case you are still deciding, here are some favorite coordinating costumes. Whether you are hoping to get the whole family, the kids (plus the dog?), or your significant other involved, I hope one of these gets you excited for Halloween.
