Shifting Gears

We left before 8:00 this morning to meet friends in Chandler which was about 35 miles away – we’re in Peoria which is in NW Phoenix and were heading to the SE part of town.  Within 5 minutes we were on the 101 Loop that goes around the city and immediately were in bumper-to-bumper traffic.  We moved erratically until after we passed Scottsdale and then finally the traffic opened up and  we were only 10 minutes late to meet our friends who understood completely that meeting at 9:00 was a stretch given rush hour traffic.  I tried to imagine making that commute every day and realized how fortunate I am that my 10 miles to work usually takes 15-18 minutes and my biggest traffic jam is exiting from James River Freeway onto National! 

We had a wonderful visit with Dave and JoAnne who typify active retirees – they aren’t yet in their mid 50’s and were able to leave work behind a few years ago and move away from Springfield to Sun Lakes where their beautiful home is on a golf course fairway.  They play competitive bridge and tennis and are currently putting lots more miles on their GoldWing than we are – but we plan to catch up with them soon.  Given their busy schedules we were thrilled they could fit us in for breakfast.

This afternoon Annie had asked me to be at her medical spa by 3:00 for a surprise which turned out to be a fabulous facial from her aesthitician (sp?)  Sarah- not only did I get a heavenly facial but she also gave me an uipper body massage and a salt scrub on my feet which she then wrapped in hot towels.  I felt totally pampered and relaxed – in fact, I warned Sarah not to be surprised if I started snoring as I’m sure I dozed off in my completely relaxed state.  Too bad I’m not here long enough to get a series of laser hair removal treatments since Annie assures me I’d get the family rate.  I did score some makeup and had such fun trying out products. 

Tonight we’ve been watching try-outs for “American Idol” – a show which I have never seen so the whole process is quite amusing to me.  It’s amazing that some of these people actually think they have talent and then are so shocked when they don’t get picked to go to Hollywood.  I’m not hooked on it though so doubt that I ever see who makes it to the finals.

Time to get back to knitting – today has been a frustrating knitting day as I’ve had to totally frog (tear out) one entire piece I was working on and a large chunk of another one.  Haven’t had to do that for a long time but I’m always irritated with myself when I goof up or don’t measure correctly.  Too bad I can’t frog some of my flubs in life!