A day in the life...April 11-17

I think that's how I'll title my weekly posts (I'll try), keeping you caught up on the daily happenings here at home...hopefully making you feel right at home.

This week started with me traveling back to Niagara Falls, NY - the American Falls. I drove up with Kathleen who did all the driving since she gets car sick easily unless she is driving. I tried to be a good passenger, chatting, keeping the music going, snacks handy, etc. Last week when we were in Niagara, we didn't make it to the falls...this time we did. I brought my camera and tripod, so I was able to take some nice pictures of the falls. Our photo assignment for the week was to do self-portraits again, but there were too many people for me to get a good shot of myself infront of the falls. Since Kath didn't have a passport we weren't able to go to the Candian side. I'm back up there at the end of May on my own, I'll plan on bringing the camera, tripod and passport - hopefully take some nice pictures of the falls lite up. Kath and I got up every morning at 5:15am and went down to the hotel gym (a treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike) - and even though it opened at 6am the front desk guy let us in anyway. We found a nice wine bar/tapas place for dinner and took a nice walk - which was good after a long day of training. (One evaluation I got said - Best trainer Ever! :-)) Here are some pictures of a nice sunset...I thought the clouds were pretty cool looking.

We got home on Wed. at around 9:30pm, not too late - but I was still exhausted and just couldn't make it to the gym Thursday...and since I had a dentist apt. at 9am I figured it was a great day to sleep in. All was good at the dentist, everyone asking "How is Sim doing?" "Where is he?" - I'm tired of telling people it's Ukraine not THE Ukraine. Diana's family, my hygenist, is from Ukraine and she even speaks Ukranian, but has never gone. Amazing what you find out when sitting in the dentist's chair while mumbling "Uh Huh...nyuh, etc." After the dentist I finally used this certificate I had for a free express massage, facial and make-up touch-up (15 minutes of each). I haven't had a massage since we got married, and the only facial I've ever had was at a dermatoligist's office...very painful. I have to say the massage did feel good, but I'm not sure I'd pay for another. The facial was nice, but definitely not something I'd really ever pay for. Make-up touch up...I just had to remind the girl I was going to work after the session, so she went light...but still more than I ever wear - eye shadow...HAH! Off to work for day 2 of a classes I started Monday AM before leaving for Niagara, a lot to cover and managed to get through most of it. Then off to dinner at Mom's - she made yummy scallops...Jack and Jackie joined us. I made espresso at the end of dinner, Jack even tried some...after we put in some Caramel Vanilla creamer mom had - he liked it, go figure. He did try a little straight up, not as good.

Finally Friday - my class got cancelled...which was good in a way, it gave me to opportunity to catch up on emails, office work, general stuff that piles up when your out of the office for 2 weeks. I decided to try the Zumba class at the Y again, last week there was a sub teacher...not so good, but this week the regular teacher was there. It's kinda like a dance aerobics class w/salsa, hip-hop and then Indian inspired music. I was all over the place, but it was fun.

Saturday - very busy - training run at the crossing at 8am, in the car by 8:30 to head to Clifton Park for my WW meeting, then home to do some work/cleaning and get ready to go to a WW staff meeting in Saratoga from 1-5pm. Luckily they had some yogurts 'cause I hadn't really eaten much.

Sunday (today) - run with Lisa at 7am, back home to start laundry, finish cleaning. Tabata at the Y from 11:30-12:30am and sign up for spinning...got in no problem. I had to drop off my bike for a tune up at Elevate, they will have it ready for me by the 25th which gives me a few days to test it out before the Y Tri on May 1st.

Finally - Over the course of the past 3 evenings and during the day I managed to get my self-portraits. Me with my bike(not very exciting), dining alone, enjoying wine, knitting (cool shot-I left the shutter open and sat very still while my hands moved = motion blur), at the computer, etc. (See below) I think they turned out OK. Maybe I'll post more on Picasa.

Bye for Now! :-)