No, you're not seeing double. Meet Nutmeg, our newest rescue puppy. When I saw her on the Evergreen Animal Protective League's web site, I couldn't believe my eyes. Though she came from another state, she looked exactly like Pepper, the dog we adopted last May from a Georgetown rescue agency. Lilly, our elderly Labrador, is still with us and now, with these two playing and running around, we have our hands full. All that joyful exuberance! There is nothing like a puppy to take your mind off more serious things. Please say hello to Nutmeg on your next visit to TallGrass. She's learning the ropes of her job as official spa greeter, alongside the veteran Pepper. In the meantime, our sweet, mostly blind Lilly relaxes in her comfy bed at home.

On a much more serious note, we are sending prayers of strength and hope to the people in Japan during their horrendous crisis. An easy way to contribute the money that they will need to help them through this ordeal is to dial 90999 on your cell phone and text "Red Cross." You will incur a $10 charge on your cell phone account and the funds will be sent to the Red Cross. It is a small token, but if everyone in the USA did it, that would mean billions!

Twenty-one years ago, Jody Heaney became a nail technician on a fluke. A girlfriend was going to manicure class, asked Jody to come along, she did and the rest is the long history of a rewarding career. "I love the people," Jody says. "Over the years I have gotten to know some fantastic women, some for the entire 21 years."

It's no surprise that nail clients have followed Jody for two decades because her customer service skills are the best and she cares deeply about her guests. She knows the secret to a successful nail service is making the experience all about the guest. "People are friendly," she says. "They like to talk and they love to be listened to." In 2010, Jody did a lot of talking and listening because she performed the highest number of nail services at TallGrass that year...and she works only three days a week! That's just the awe inspiring way of being committed to excellence that earned Jody the Spa Babe award.

On those four days a week when Jody is not at TallGrass, she is doing what she calls "the domestic thing," taking care of a family that includes a 4 year-old and a 6-year old.

Jody is pictured here with TallGrass owner, Gail Ridings.

We're building a wall, a Serenity Garden Wall, to wrap around the west side of the Great Room and surround you in privacy while you relax on our patio. It is designed to expand your sense of peace and tranquility as you enjoy quiet moments at TallGrass. Completion is scheduled for early this month. Then, we'll see about planting a little garden of fragrant herbs and flowers for you to enjoy, too.