At This Stage

One of my colleagues will be out of the office for a month so I decided to take a few more days off. Used one of the days to do routine car maintenance. Also stopped by this place because their website said that they run diagnostics on tablets to determine if the battery is gone which was not really the truth.

Also went to exchange a pair of earrings because one of the posts was too thick and made my ear throb. Felt bad about doing that because I had already exchanged a pair of earrings that I decided was too small but I convinced myself that, at this stage in my life, it's important to get what I want. 

With the other day off, the 'Fugee and I explored downtown a bit by eating breakfast there then hanging out in City Garden and walking to the Arch grounds. Whoever is responsible for the new grounds did a really good job; there's such a sense of openness. I, however, don't want to know the price tag.

A Lime Bike at City Garden

Statue of The Scotts at the Old Courthouse

I also wanted to see Amy Sherald's exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum so from downtown we went to the museum.

Sign, embellished, outside of the Contemporary Art Museum

One of Sherald's pieces to the left...

At some point last week, my left knee was bothering me as well as my right foot. The foot felt like it was going to snap in half or something. In the morning, I dreaded putting my foot on the floor because I knew that I was going to feel all sorts of intense sensations. Interesting, right? 

Magically, on Thursday, the knee and foot issue resolved itself. Thursday was also the start of my time off from work. 

The flower earrings that I wanted...

Because

Took a couple of days off from work because I needed a couple of days off from work.

Did I really have a vacation in February? That trip seems like it happened eons ago. The 'Fugee came to pick me up at 10 and we went to the Botanical Garden. The parking lot was already full when we arrived. It's hard to believe that, in the middle of the week, so many people are at the garden. Why am I not there on Wednesday more often? A woman could get used to an abbreviated workweek under the right circumstances.

It was a nice day -- a bit warm but there was a breeze. I took 91 pictures with my real camera and more with my iPod.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the day.

Amphitrite a.k.a. Merbaby (a favorite spot)

Sundial

Woodpecker

I really wanted to get a close-up of the couple sitting peacefully on the bench in the Japanese Garden.

Japanese Garden

Favorite picture of the 'Fugee.

The 'Fugee capturing me...

Locked It In

When I emerged from the locker room last night, I heard the youth swim team coach say I want you to lock it in and I thought Yeah, I'm going to lock it in. I don't know if I locked it in but I did get in 22 laps.

Saw this article on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) Twitter feed and it made me go to the YMCA's website to see what intermediate classes they have available. The one closest to me only has a Saturday class but I will keep looking as I'd like to advance my swimming skills.

Took the day off from work as it is Alison's birthday and she wanted me to spend time with her. The request reminded me of what Gloria said recently -- If you don't ask, the answer is always no.

We planned to hit one yoga class but because of the weather, Alison's kid was out of school and we had to switch plans and go to the gym that has childcare.

There was plenty of room in the studio but this woman put her mat right in front of mine. Seriously? Alas, it didn't matter because the teacher didn't show up so we went to one of our favorite restaurants and chilled there.

Plenty of Space

After my time with Alison, I regrouped then ran errands including going to the library. I've had to abandon two books and I'm hoping that I will be able to relate to The House of Tomorrow.