TRAVELING AROUND WITH NEW "WHEELS"

Most people who know me well will vouch for the fact that I have had quite a few surgeries in my life … fortunately all of the orthopedic variety (as opposed to illness): new knees, two back surgeries, wrists, thumbs, feet, etc – about 15 in all. In fact, if I see a new doctor and there is a place on the form to list prior surgeries, I ask for a second sheet of paper.  I have adopted the saying from Dennis Prager (radio host/author/friend) who said “God didn’t want me to have a perfect life, so he gave me … (fill in the blank).”  In my case it is lousy joints. 

I am not interested in letting go of my passions any time soon – “aggressive” travel meaning driving in foreign countries and moving quickly from place to place, gardening, exercise and generally leading a pretty active life.  Therefore, if I have a degenerating/painful something or other and the doc convinces me it is repairable with not a great deal of risk, I am going for it.  I know I recover well and am committed to whatever therapy is advised. 

So it is with that preamble that I present my current mode of transportation, which duration is roughly six weeks ... but mine has the cool fluffy pad for extra knee comfort on the seat.  Below is the Knee Rover. Don't you just love the basket addition for all of the necessities?? Instead of renting I purchased mine on Amazon; afterward I will donate it to somewhere that accepts used medical devices.

Pre-assembly

One of our dogs Maisie in the foreground providing comfort

Why do I think this deserves writing about?  Merely in order to convey what the experience is like for those who have somehow gotten through life unscathed in this way.  I have put off this particular foot surgery for years, having taken the doc's advice:  If you are not in chronic pain, then don't do it. Alas the time has come to address this issue, so I carved out a period where I knew I could recover in in advance of this April's big trip to Africa. 

Hovering over the poor checker

Silver lining(s):  this is my left foot and only the right is needed for driving my car!  So that's not a problem.  Our home is one story so that's not an issue. Go to the market? Pity the poor checkers at Gelson's, where I had no choice but to involve the hubby, shown above.  He's tried out his lines of "I've been shopping here for 45 years" and "don't go over $50" on nearly every one of them. Best that they don't pay him any attention, but they feel compelled to listen to the customer.  Thank goodness for whoever came up with www.instacart.com for home delivery!  

First delivery via Instacart ... amazing system where my order is placed online and the shopper texts me if a product is unavailable so I may approve a substitute.  My shopper Nicole even sent photos via text of what she was purchasing.  So genius ... 

Utilizing every square inch of the basket to carry stuff!

It was unclear who was more fascinated by
the rover -- my great niece Doron or my
sister's dog!

ANNUAL SPA WEEKEND FOR WOMEN EXECUTIVES

One would be hard pressed to suggest that a unique group of women executives do not have their priorities straight: work hard; accomplish as much as you can; then reward yourself with a weekend in beautiful surroundings with lots of pampering. That's exactly how it is every year, the first weekend in February, for the Organization of Women Executives where I have been an active member (including past president) for more than 10 years.

A major guessing game takes place each fall when members start wondering where Spa Weekend will take place.  After the last four years at Terranea, this year's weekend took us for the first time to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel.  Everyone was greeted with a glass of champagne, but it pays to room with the board chair as we had additional amenities in our room including wonderful cookies and a candle ... 

View from the room ...

Our brilliant spa chair

The task of recommending where we go -- based on rates and many other factors -- belongs to the board member who will assume the presidency in the following term.  In many ways chairing Spa Weekend can be a more daunting responsibility than the one ultimately assumed. Our president appoints her board to find our speakers, chair special events, recruit new members, etc. After the intense year of overseeing spa weekend, the next year is more about oversight.  It's an excellent system that has served well.   Kudos to this year's chair Lisa for doing an fabulous job!

Clockwise from upper left:  Lunch on the terrace at 180 Blu
with a visitor; in-room breakfast; view from the gym makes
a work-out ever more pleasant!

While the official event is from Saturday lunch through Sunday brunch, 80% of our members now include Friday as well ...  I was fortunate to arrive mid-day on Friday which means I could enjoy my spa appointment that day and have Saturday more unstructured until the beautiful dinner that evening.

We gathered in small groups for dinner Friday night at either Raya (above), featuring Pan-Latin cuisine, or enoSTEAK

A huge hit this year was our hospitality suite, where we had more spirits to enjoy and all
the fixins' to make S'mores over the outdoor fire pits!

My deep-tissue massage from a big guy named Ed was absolutely out of this world. No question it is a luxury to enjoy treatments at a high-end spa, but this one was just amazing from start to finish.  A lot of group interaction takes place as members are coming and going in the spa, plus special events offered: wine tasting, tide pool exploration, new members get-together and the like.

Lunch on the terrace featured an omelette bar

Dinner began with a beautiful composed salad; followed by either salmon or beef; and
then a duo of desserts

Suffice to say, the hotel could not have anticipated how hard we party ... the outstanding Adam Jackson trio provided music that was irresistible.   We likely recruited some new members -- women passing through the lobby danced along with our group! 

The first time I attended spa weekend years ago, the hubby asked me to describe my day.  I told him lunch, spa, work-out, dinner and wine in a beautiful setting, etc. "So what's the agenda?" he inquired.  That IS the agenda! And a great one it is.  I adore this group; more importantly, I both learn from and respect the women in this group.  How great to be a part of something both fun and rewarding ..