You ever have one of those ideas that seems like a really good idea at the time BUT then proves not to be? I had one of those. Last week I was packing to go overnight to a conference. I would have a hotel room all to myself (do I even remember how to sleep in a bed alone???) and as I was choosing my toiletries to go with me I came across a tube of “Organic Cactus Body Mud–Indulge yourself!” Well, it has been a long time since I treated myself to any sort of spa treatments so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to soak in a tub and treat my skin to some pampering.
The conference was wonderful! I found myself among like minds and kindred spirits. The evening’s festivities ended with a salsa dance lesson followed by a Latin orchestra playing the night away. I love dancing and my sore muscles were ready for that soak so I retired to my room. All proceeded well except there was no option for softer lighting, like a candle, but oh well it was still peace and quiet.
I applied the mud to arms and legs and enjoyed soaking while it dried UNTIL I noticed the smears of purplely mud on the white fabric shower curtain, surely no worry, right? Well, could I relax after that? No! I had to know if the smears would come out for just at dinner that evening the conversation had turned to talk of hotel cleaning fees of $250 and my room was paid by the non-profit that sent me, they hadn’t even required a credit card of me. I couldn’t take the embarrassment of them being charged a cleaning fee for me!
I showered off the almost dry organic cactus body mud and then turned to see the purplely splatters all over the shower walls. I wiped those down as the tub drained only to look down and see a purplely ring around the tub to be scrubbed. As I did that I was hopeful that the shower curtain would be rinsed clean, washing away all evidence of my folly. No such luck. The next task was taking a bar of soap to the shower curtain and patiently scrubbing out the huge smears of mud. It turned out well after quite a while of scrubbing. Then I rinsed the washclothes, bat mat, and towels the best I could. In the end the bathroom showed very little trace of my pampering. Pampering-Ha.
So that is how I ended my relaxing evening–for fun I scrub down other people’s bathrooms.
But from this experience I take this, maybe next time when my kids give the defense “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time . . .” I will have a bit more empathy for them. I know how it feels.
