Mrs. Jackson Makes it to the Spa

 If you  recall, Jackie Jackson received a trip to the spa from her daughters, as a mother's day gift.  Well today is spa day.  She didn't want to go alone, so she called her good friend Camille Langford to join her.  At the last minute, Robin, her oldest daughter decided to go, too.

The ladies have made their way to the massage area of the spa.  Robin is getting a hand massage.

Camille and Jackie are shooting the breeze, and drinking special drinks from the smoothie bar, while waiting for their full body massages.

Terry, the masseur, has just finished with a client.

(Terry is a name change from Max. Character list has been updated.)

"Thank you, Terry.  That was fabulous.  My neck pain is completely gone."  (Nicole)

"You are welcome.  I guess I will see you in about 3 weeks." (Terry)

"So is this your first time here?  I don't recall seeing you here before."  (Sheila, the worker)

"Yes, this is my first time here.  I usually go to the spa on Duke street, but this one is much bigger."  (Robin)

"Well, let's see if we can't make this a wonderful experience, so you will come back to see us." (Sheila)

Sheila grabs a few more products from her shelf.

"Goodbye Sheila.  Thanks again."  (Nicole)

"Did you have a good massage?"  (Sheila)

"Yes, you know Terry always takes good care of me.  I'll see you in a few weeks."  (Nicole)

"Ok.  You take care."  (Sheila)

Nicole heads out of the massage area to the dressing area.  Sheila turns her attention back to Robin.

"Ok, Robin.  Let's see if we can't work some magic on these fingers."  (Sheila)

"Wow, that already feels great."  (Robin)

"Mrs. Jackson, I'm ready for you."  (Terry)

"There must be some mistake.  I requested a female masseuse."  (Jackie)

"There must have been a mix up, because our masseuse only works on Wednesdays and Fridays.  You can reschedule, if you like"  (Terry)

"Give me a minute to decide what I want to do."  (Jackie)

Jackie goes over to talk to Robin.

"Do you think I should reschedule?  Your dad will not be happy about a man giving me my massage."  (Jackie)

"Mom, just don't tell him."  (Robin)

"I don't usually keep secrets from your dad."  (Jackie)

Jackie decides to go ahead and have the massage.  She will deal with the Sam issue later.

"Are you comfortable, Mrs. Jackson?"  (Terry)

"Not exactly, but go ahead before I lose my nerve."  (Jackie)

"My you are very tense.  Let's see what we can do about that.  Just relax."  (Terry)

Jackie tries to clear her mind and relax.  She puts her thoughts on her daughters, instead of her husband.  That seemed to work.  Already she was feeling a little more relaxed and starting to enjoy Terry's firm but soft hands. 

Back in the lobby, Sheila is working on Robin's other hand.

"This is wonderful.  I never imagined a hand massage could make you feel so good."  (Robin)

A full shot of the massage area of the spa.  There are other sections, too.

The spa is owned by the Coopers.  The husband and wife have been in a couple of videos before.  Mom is Puerto Rican and dad is Black and Puerto Rican (hence the last name Cooper).  They are shown with their twin daughters.  Their infant baby is missing from the picture.  Hmmm.  I wonder why?

The Day After Part 2: The Dance Studio

It's about 11am on Sunday. Tanisha is in the studio with one of her instructors, Maurice.  For the most part it is a family day. She attends early rise service with her parents, and later in the evening she will have dinner at their house.  Her sisters try to make it  as often as they can.

"You did well.  I just need you to work more on your extensions."  (Maurice)

Maurice leaves and Tanisha starts preparing for the upcoming class she will teach.

Chandra, who normally teaches the class with her, stops by to make sure everything's okay.

"Hey Nish.  Sorry to cut out on you .  Do you think you will be okay?" (Chandra)

"You know if I had an audition, I would cut out on you, too.  Good luck!  Break a leg." (Tanisha)

By noon, the dance studio is filled with lots of little girls and their parents.

The older girls know they need to stretch.

Most of the parents will stay in the lobby, while some choose to leave and come back when the hour is up.

There's Shannon's mom.  Wow, I didn't know she had two more kids.  Girlfriend has been busy.

"Alright ladies, let's take our places."

"Well there's my niece.  Come on in."

Ron and Robin are running a little late this morning.  That's Ron from Hotel Monaco.  He typically has Sundays off.

"Awww honey.  Don't you miss dancing?" (Ron)

"Sometimes." (Robin)

"Well hello there, cutie."  (Mrs. Hart)

"I didn't know you and Adele were sisters.  It's a small word."  (Toni)

Speaking of Adele.... Scene from a future Day After post.

Robin's Kitchen and the New Pens

Turns out it's Robin's kitchen.  Remember her?  She and her mom own the Bridal Boutique where Danielle bought her wedding dress.  She has just returned from the store, picking up a few things she needed for her daughter's school lunches.

"Okay, let's get these things put away." (mom)

"Can I help?'" (daughter)

"Yes, Mommy can always use some help.  I'll let you put some things in the refrigerator.  We will have this stuff put away in no time." (mom)

Let's take a peek and see what she bought.  I see peanut butter and jelly, pickles, tuna, Snapple type drinks, yogurt, mozzarella, and ooooh some chocolate ice cream bars.

30 minutes later, Robin's sisters, Tanisha and Chandra have arrived.  They are meeting to decide what to do for their mom on Mother's Day.

"Would you guys like a drink or something to eat?"  (Robin)

"Nothing for me.  I just ate." (Chandra)

"Do you have Sprite?"  (Tanisha)

"And how is my favorite niece?  Have you been practicing those dance moves I showed you?"  (Tanisha)

"So what did you guys come up with for Mother's Day?" (Robin)

"What about a Spa Day?  She could get a massage, maybe a mud bath, a facial, the whole works" (Tanisha)

"I was thinking of a gift certificate to Ni'Chalet's.  Mommy could use a new outfit." (Chandra)

"I like both ideas.  Of course, we would have to request a female masseuse because Daddy is not going to go for some man feeling all over his woman"  (Robin, laughing)

"You are so right about that." (Chandra, laughing)

"Daddy is so controlling.  I don't know why Mommy puts up with that.  I'm not going to let some man tell me what I can and can't do."  (Tanisha, not laughing)

"Well, Mom and Dad have been married a long time and I think Mom let's Dad thinks he's in control.  Personally, I'm not willing to get on Dad's bad side over a little massage."  (Robin)

"Here, here."  (Chandra)

Robin leaves the room momentarily to see what her husband wants.  Her daughter decides to tag along.

Chandra decides to have a drink after all.  She finds some freshly brewed iced tea in the refrigerator and helps herself.

"So are you coming to the studio, later?" (Chandra)

"Yes, but I have to stop by the mall first.  They are having a sale at Macy's.  Don't you want to come with me?" (Tanisha)

"Tanisha, every time I go shopping with you, I spend my money and you come borrow what I bought!  I am on to your game now."

"Alright.  So are we going to go with the spa day?"  (Robin)

"Yes, and I think she should have a male masseuse.  Who wants some woman feeling all over them?"  (Tanisha)

"Anyway..... I will make the arrangements.  I'll pay for half and you guys can split the rest." (Robin)

"Split the rest?!"  (Tanisha)

Here is a family portrait of the sisters with their parents.

 THE NEW PENS:  I made two more pens yesterday.  So Mother's Day gift is taken care of.

This was the wooden one I made yesterday.  It's a lot prettier in person than is reflected here in this picture.

The second one I made out of corian, the same stuff they make counter tops out of.  The process is the same as the wood pens, but it takes a lot more elbow grease to make this one.  But isn't it purrdy?

So here are the three pens I've made so far.  Pen making can be addictive.