April 20, 2003

Happy Easter

I have been so lazy on my computer lately. I haven’t been answering e-mail, I haven’t written in my blog. I’ve been busy wasting brain cells on the American Idol messageboards. But now I’m taking the opportunity to catch up on my blog and to catch up on my e-mail.

Earl and I are sitting at Green Lakes State Park outside of Syracuse. We’ve decided to start a new Easter tradition this year. We’re going to celebrate Easter, and the arrival of spring, with a picnic at a park for our Easter dinner. Just the two of us. In the past, with the exception of last year, we’ve gone away for Easter. One year we went to Boston and ended up eating Easter dinner at a Boston Market outside of Springfield, Mass. Last year we had Easter dinner at my Dad’s with his girlfriend Karen, and that was very enjoyable and delicious. I don’t think we’re being selfish by going off on our own, and I hope the families understand.

Yesterday we did something that I haven’t done since I was a kid. We started off the day at my Dad’s store and had lunch with him and my aunt and uncle. Initially I had planned on biking up there, but Mother Nature felt we needed the rain, so I turned around after 15 miles or so, covered in mud, soaked to the bone and mad. So we drove up instead.

We then drove to Syracuse Airport and sat in the Observation Area for two hours watching planes and gets land and take off. I haven’t done that in years. It was so much fun! And Earl said that he was enjoying himself as well, he found it very relaxing. Last night, I did some research on the internet, and found that there’s tons of people that do Plane Spotting, and I found that quite exciting. We did watch two planes land when we were in Phoenix last month, and it piqued my interest then, it just increased my interest yesterday at Syracuse Airport. I think I’m going to practice my photography while I’m plane spotting in the future. I hope to do it again soon.

So now we’re at Green Lakes State Park any enjoying the spring. There’s a woman at the next picnic table over that laughs like a loon. It’s kind of cute! At least she fits in with the wildlife.

I’ve been working hard at cycling the past week. I rode to work everyday with the exception of Thursday (because I had to pick Earl up from work – his truck was getting fixed.) I feel great and I’m growing much more confident on the new bike. I’m looking forward to the long ride coming up in May and then The Ride For Missing Children on May 16. If you wish to donate, drop me a line and I’ll send you the information on how you can.

Physically, I’ve been feeling wonderful. Today marks the year anniversary that I began my weight loss. A year ago today I was 27 pounds heavier. Yesterday I started the Slim-Fast plan again – I’m going to do it for a couple of weeks to jup start my metabolism because my weight has creeped up a little bit in the past couple of weeks. I had initially lost 34 pounds, but seven pounds somehow crept back on.

Spiritually I’ve been feeling great as well. I think I’ve cleaned a bunch of cobwebs or something out of my head because I’ve felt much more “tuned in” the past week or so. It’s important to keep your mind clear and focused. Positive thoughts.

All in all, today is quite the beautiful day. Earl and I have just enjoyed a delicious Easter picnic, the sky is clear and sunny, temperatures are in the mid 70s. And Earl and I are having a wonderful time talking, relaxing and just being together.

We wrapped up our Easter trip with a little ride and then a stop at Friendly’s. I haven’t had ice cream in a long time.

Life is wonderful.