Jules:
Saturday-
Ash and I woke up to a day of pampering. Padma came to the house for our weekly massage ($5 each, not bad). We decided to go to Bubbles (a local salon) to get pedicures and manicures, and maybe I would get my hair cut. We have been debating on whether or not to cut Claire's hair...here's how the experience went:
We pulled up to the building; it said Bubbles at the top. So Ash, Claire and I pile out of the car and head in. I thought things were a bit odd when there were only men stylists in the room, but oh well. So a guy walks up and says "Hi Claire" so I could tell that this is indeed the Bubbles my mom had visited with Claire when she was here. I said, "We are hear for pedicures, and manicures" and he said, "Hair cut." I thought, well ok, I did want a hair cut anyway, it didn't matter the order we did it in. So I said, "Yes" he automatically grabbed the booster seat for kids and put it on the chair. So I went with it thinking we were contemplating getting her hair cut, and this guy wants to do it, so ok. So we put Claire in the chair and he said, "Short or trim" I said, "trim." So I'm down at eye level with Claire entertaining her and I noticed that he had cut all of the length off the back. Once he cut the first chunk, there was no going back. Ash and I are looking at each other like, "didn't we say trim?" Any way, Claire sat there the whole time really well behaved. He finished and we paid our 80 rupees ($2). Then I said, "we would like our manicures and pedicures now", he said, "ladies side." At this point Ash and I looked at each other and said, "ahhh." That sure explained a lot. That's why when we said we wanted a hair cut, he automatically assumed it was Claire (remember I mentioned the gender recognition difference?) even though she had a pink jumper on, it was assumed that she was a boy. This also explains why when I said pedicure and manicure, he said, "hair cut." So there is a men’s and ladies section. Ahhh...no one told us that. Now we have a very pretty little boy.
The story continues...We go over to the ladies side and again ask for a pedicure and manicure. They say ok, and show us to 2 chairs next to each other. Another lady comes in and asks if we want coffee or tea, I say coffee, Ash says she doesn't want anything. They bring us both coffees. They bring out a tub for my feet to start the pedicure, a guy was doing this part, then the manicurist comes out. I'm thinking that they must not have the resources to do two of us at the same time. So I asked if they could do Ashley's hands while they do my feet, then we could switch. They say, "Together" I say, "yes" and they continue to only do mine. So i just assume they have a certain way they like to do things and they don't have more people to start on Ash. That wasn't the case, another lady walked in 20 minutes later and they started doing her nails. Interesting. Anyway, while we were there Claire managed to drool red lollipop all over her cloths, grab bubbles from my pedicure tub and rub them in her hair, then sit in my pedicure tub and get her whole outfit wet.
Anyway, 3 hours later we both got our manicures and pedicures. They were very well done and we only spent $10 each, all together. Nice! (As Claire would say)

Meanwhile at home Clay is battling with the plumber to come put our sink back together. They cam by 7 days earlier telling us there was a leak. They tear things apart and leave. So a week later Clay starts calling to see if we can get someone to come finish the job. They say 15 minutes. 1 hour later no one was there. So he calls back they say 15 minutes, Clay says, "No, now." They guys says, "Now?" So evidently he thought Clay kept calling for a plumber visit the next day...

jle