We are STILL working through our homestudy renewal. I am a little annoyed. Here is my little list of grievances:
- Two days before our home study visit, our agency tells us that our renewal fee has gone from the discounted fee of $200 to $800. While I understand that they may need to charge us the standard fee (which was decreased last year due to the pending, long wait), it would have been nice to tell us more than two days in advance (especially since we booked the appointment a month in advance).
- We had our visit on June 21st. Last years’ homestudy required a few edits. On July 21st (yes, ONE MONTH) they sent us the draft for review — more than 1/2 of the changes were not made. It was awful. I spent over an hour editing it myself.
- We had to renew our police clearances, which includes new fingerprints. I asked if I could drop the prints off on Friday and what time they would leave the office. They told me they would be there until 4:30pm. At 2:45pm they were not there… what are they doing? Certainly not fixing our homestudy, since I fixed it myself.
Argh. Argh. Argh.
… what will make the news! Yvonne’s Salon and the fish made it to CNN and YAHOO Video.
It is July in Washington DC. That means it is hot – very hot. And I am sick with bronchitis. Those things together are not a good combination. I am a bit cranky. For my birthday gift, my husband splurged and bought really good seats for the Lion King at the Kennedy Center. So, last night we went (coughing and all).
I am so glad we did. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen.
The show was breathtaking. It was an abstract version of the Disney animated movie. The music was powerful. The costumes were intricate and provided such a sense of movement. It felt like there were double the number of actors on the stage. After 10 years on Broadway, the show still feels fresh and lively.
The Kennedy Center is always fun. The grande dame of DC could use a little face-lift –the colors and decor looks like it is straight out of the 1970’s. Our seats were great (Orchestra, Row R). We could clearly see everything and there was not anyone in front of us.
So, I did it. Well, we did it… I “surprised” my mom with a Dr. Fish pedicure for her birthday. We started the pedicure by placing our feet in small plexiglass tanks filled with flesh eating fish. Ok, that was a little melodramatic. It was a lot of fun. It doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t tickle. It just feels like something poking a little bit.
Do you live near Alexandria, VA? You too can have a Dr. Fish pedicure — click on this link and scoll down to see more: http://www.yvonnesalon.com/
We spent a lovely weekend in Arkansas for July 4th. We started the weekend by attending the Proctor and Gamble Beauty NW Arkanas Championship in Rogers, AR. this weekend. I have never been to a professional golf event. The golf course itself looked and felt like a neighborhood with large, lovely houses throughout. We had access to the “gold suite”. The best part of it was the air conditioning! But, it also has free food and drink and it overlooked the 18th hole. That is the way to watch a sporting event!
After golf, we headed to an Arkansas Naturals baseball game. It was in a brand new stadium which was so much nicer than many minor league ballparks. Everyone there was so nice and welcoming. The only drawback – the mascot. It is this scary Bigfoot looking thing. I am not sure how that is not intimidating for little children (because it was scared me).
We also had a chance to visit Eureka Springs which was an old Victorian spa town in the mountains based on an abudance of natural mineral springs. We went to an old bath house – you take a bath in an old claw foot tub with the “healing” waters, an old-fashioned sauna where your head sticks out (it was very funny there is a picture on the site — http://www.palacehotelbathhouse.com/bh.html) and finished with a good massage. The town is now an artist community. It was a fun way spend a few hours.
