WEAK WEEK

Guess it's time to get down to basics ... Larry works out at Bally's every day and his little mind went haywire! He thinks my fleshy frame needs adjusting; so, he obtained the necessary paperwork, Jane obliged by locating and mailing my insurance card (to get the stuff paid for, not necessarily for what may happen), and Thursday I began what MAY be my daily workout sessions.

Love the title of the group - Silver Sneakers ... that should tell you something right there!! I think Larry knows everyone in the gym. He showed me where the exercises would take place, talked to a few ladies and, after locating proper equipment, said we would meet an hour later.

It was an experience, especially since I haven't done specified group exercises since I was in college. Don't laugh though - all you physically fit specimens - this first day was different. The ladies (and men) are mostly senior citizens so the equipment is as follows: a chair, weights, an exercise band and a rubber ball ... most of the activity was done sitting down except a moderately fast rhumba number with specified steps and leg lifts. After an hour of "getting fit", I met Larry and we drove home. We compared notes, laughed a little and tomorrow we will go to a different gym as this one does not meet on Fridays (my group). Wonder if I will be sore!

There may be a surprise in store for Paolo! The pool men (no, Hillary, not THAT kind of pool boy!) are in the pool itself coating the bottom and sides and spraying. They have been there almost all day and perhaps this is it!! We thought the pool would have a blue layer, but it just looks like concrete. Time will tell ... (One funny sight. The four men strapped huge sponges to their feet to keep water from soaking their shoes. Did they consider some sort of lightweight boots might do the trick? Oh, well ...)
We didn't tell Paul the pool men had shown up ...

Friday ... Larry and I were off to the "Miller" Bally's. Not much traffic so we got there early and Larry put me on a bicycle machine. What fun! I biked about four miles before the Silver Sneakers beckoned. This was an entirely different thing ... same excercises, standing up, faster, more leg work. We had the option to sit but most chose to stand. Felt the muscle "strain" more here ... a lady told me that when the entire class sits, they feel somewhat intimidated when too many stand. I suppose that's true, especially for the arthritic or lightly disabled. Two days ... we will see what next week brings.

Pool is finished and is filling with water. Paul won't know until he gets home. It will take 24 hours. When it was half-full, it began to look blue. The men told Larry that blue crystals in the coating would reflect and make a beutiful color ... they were right ... it's gorgeous! Paul came home and didn't even look outside ... we had to tell him to go check whatever. He was thrilled and we kept wandering and looking and anticipating ...

We can't actually go in the water until the chemicals are properly mixed and set, etc. They will come back and inspect and EVERYONE can take a dip. They said if we go in too soon, it would irritate our skin ... don't want that, right Jane?? It's so nice ... there are a few stone tiles along the outside edge that they have to be replaced before the new furniture is put on the patio, but I'm going to try to talk Larry into getting a picture of the pool itself. You will be so envious since it's still cold in Chicago!

Sun is shining brightly... Paul keeps pestering me... guess it's time to wrap this up and see what's on the agenda. Hang in there, friends! (Sorry the pool wasn't ready to look at when you were here Jonferes, Jason & Jen, but ... dream on!)

Hang in there, friends!

Marma