Palm Springs vacation

Jake and I spent a long weekend in Palm Springs. Primary purpose was to see his folks who are in a nursing home, but secondary purpose was to just get away together. We don't do that as we should. We were both so relaxed. The weather was wonderful. We had a good breakfast at Sherman's http://www.shermansdeli.com/. My serving was so big that I immediately split it in half before I started eating and then added to the take-home part because it filled me up. Jake and I shared the leftover for breakfast the next day! We also had supper at the Blue Coyote http://www.bluecoyote-grill.com/. The weather was perfect for eating outside.

One of the best parts of the vacation was just sitting outside and reading. Here is a picture of Jake doing just that. This was taken on the patio at his brother's house.

As for the weight loss, it was only 1 pound this week, but considering the good food and good drinks we had I am satisfied with the 1 pound loss. This week, I am staying away from the chips & salsa and margaritas!

What is with contractors?

Jake made an appointment with a masonry contractor to come out last night and give us a bid on some work in the basement. He didn't show up nor did he even call. Finding someone to do a small job is difficult. We've even had one company tell us over the phone that the job is just too small for them. However, I would think that with the economy in the dumps people would take any job and do it right because it could always lead to more work in the future.

The good news is that the dumpster leaves my driveway tomorrow! Now we have to take stuff to Goodwill. We took 5 boxes of old engineering books to Powell's to sell. They bought one book - for $1! But at least they recycled the rest. The books just weren't in good condition due to mildew and/or age. We have another 5 boxes that need to go and will try again. Perhaps this time we will at least make the gas money.

One of the reasons Jake is right for me.

Jake and I met on line, back in the hay-day of AOL. Our mutual interest in aviation history brought us together. I like B-17's and C-130's. Jake has ridden in both. Below is a short excerpt from a story he wrote recently about how his love for airplanes in general, and B-17's specifically, began. Somewhere in a photo album is a picture of a six year old Jake standing in front of the Memphis Belle. You've gotta love a man who can write a 4 page story in a couple of hours and even includes punctuation!

On a trip to visit his Grandmother's house in Black Oak, Arkansas from Decatur, Alabama, a young lad's family makes a stop in Memphis, Tennessee to see some of the sights. The family stops near a National Guard armory because the father wants to show something to the young boy. And there it was.... A huge big green airplane on a concrete pedestal. It was the neatest thing this six year old kid had ever seen. It had these big tires and all those engines and stars on the sides, with so many machine guns sticking out from it from everywhere. You never saw a bigger smile on a kid’s face. "What is it dad?" the young boy asked his father. "It's a B-17 son. It's called The Memphis Belle. It's a pretty famous airplane and I got to ride home in one like this one when I came home after the war. I'll always remember that ride."

Going to lose

Weight, that is. My daughter, Natalie, has started a version of the Biggest Loser club for some friends and family. Should be fun. I've been doing weight watchers on line for 3 months now and am satisfied with my progress, but with an additional 30-40 pounds I would like to lose, this competition will provide additional incentive. Perhaps I'm starting at a disadvantage because I've already lost the 'easy' weight, or perhaps I have the advantage because I have established good habits and have changed my way of looking at and thinking about food. Or, perhaps the old adage "age and experience beat youth and exuberance every time" will apply.

Happy Friday! The sun is shining and no rain in the forecast until Sunday. Perhaps my basement will dry out.