It’s that time! We must trudge off to the gym and subject our fragile bodies to sustained abuse! First, we hit the floor, and our legs are stretched,g with several back muscles providing audible feedback in the form of snaps, crackles, and pops! It sounds like someone eating breakfast cereal.
Then, we are asked to get vertical, which is easy for them to say. After some adjustment for the higher altitude and the dizziness goes away, we are faced with some crazy torture devices and are asked to do 15 repetitions. I always count by fives; it helps!
- Dumbbells – Tiny Pain Handles
- Treadmill – The Hamster Highway
- Exercise bike – The Nowhere-Mobile
- Rowing machine – The Land Canoe
- Kettlebell – The Angry Teapot
- Bench press – The Ego Plank
- Pull-up bar – The Humility Stick
- Resistance bands – Spicy Stretch Noodles
- Foam roller – The Scream Log
- Medicine ball – The Heavy Orb of Regret
- Squat rack – The Thigh Temple
- Elliptical – The Confusing Ski Machine
- Stair climber – The Endless Apartment Walk-Up
- Battle ropes – Angry Floor Snakes
- Yoga mat – The Nap Rectangle
- Leg press – The Quad Crusher
- Cable machine – The Fancy Pulley Monster
- Ab wheel – The Regret Wheel
- Jump rope – The Shin Whipper
BTW, we got voted number one for being so colorful! Our trainers usually wear dark glasses when we arrive!
BTW, this will probably be our Halloween outfits for this year!
After the workout, I was thirsty and got to thinking about Coca-Cola when it came in glass bottles, and you would reach into a freezer full of ice and pull out a bottle, snap off the cap, and drink it down
We popped over to Ralph’s and got some supplies we might need for this weekend, since Hannah and her husband, Patrick, are joining us with their baby. As an added attraction, Lisa is coming along too!
The holiday season is almost upon us!
After Ralph’s visit, we went home to clean the house because… because… because our house cleaners are due in at 1:00 pm! We ran out of toilet paper and are now using lettuce leaves. Today was just the tip of the iceberg, and tomorrow romaines to be seen.
We have driven my Zena’s for years and finally went inside and had an absolutely amazing meal. They have been in business since 1999. Mom and Dad run the kitchen, and their son takes care of everything else. He started there when he was 20 and is not a happy 47-year-old!
Mary took one look at the menu, and she was off and running! Everythingg was good!
Our experience was outstanding! We’re planning to cater a party with several Lebanese friends, so naturally we launched a very serious “research project” — one that required visiting multiple restaurants and bravely eating a heroic amount of delicious food. You’re welcome, science.
As usual, Mary really gets into the things and changes into her Lebanese Dancing Outfit! I darned near passed out!
Zena’s was the fifth place we tried, and they absolutely nailed it.
Our waiter, who also happens to be the owner’s son, was fantastic. He explained every dish, made great recommendations, and took care of everything we needed — basically a menu tour guide, cultural ambassador, and food therapist rolled into one.
The meal was excellent, but the tabbouleh deserves its own paragraph, possibly its own fan club. Traditional Lebanese tabbouleh is made with finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, green onions, mint, a little bulgur, lemon juice, and olive oil — but at Zena’s, it appears to also contain magic, because it disappeared in seconds.
I’m not saying there was a fight over the last bite… but let’s say Mary’s and my friendship briefly entered negotiations.
Zena’s is definitely a winner!
After all that food, I went to the paint store to get thinner. It didn’t work.
When we returned home, it was 101 degrees, so we went inside and hibernated the rest of the afternoon! The girls were just about to finish, so Mary and I went into our library and read! Clive Cussler and I are beating the Chinese and Russians at their own game!
At 6:00 pm, I finished my book and joined Mary in the kitchen. We watched Ted Lasso until 7:30 pm, time to jump in the pool!
We hit the sack at 10:30 pm as tomorrow is another busy day. Robin is coming over, and we are going to get ready for Hannah, Lisa, and crew!
