WATER HEATER 1, THE JIM AND ANNA 0

Okay, well the Jim and I worked all day long trying to solve the water heater problem by draining the water heater (which took overnight), and even still it seemed like we were not sure if it was empty.  So, we tried all different ways to drain it the rest of the way (hoses, syphoning, heading to Home Depot for a Drill Pump – which didn’t work),  still, nothing.  So the Jim, in a fit of anger was going to try to blowtorch the top off and go from there.  Well, I was leery of that idea and thankfully the blowtorch didn’t work (it’s called life letting you know it’s not a good idea); so after a lot of stress, strain, struggle, clean up and so on, and so on…we finally decided to make the call.  Plumber, please help us!

Harry’s Plumbing is PHENOMENAL!   I will recommend him to everyone I know.  He rocks.  He also is knowledgeable and funny.  He commented that he’d like to do a TV show called “Things that Ed the Plumber Didn’t Tell You”.  Well, after a lot of cutting and re-soldering we have a new hot water heater and some happy people.

So, final score:

Water Heater 1

The Jim and Anna 0

Harry the Plumber 100

Thanks so much and his price was so reasonable it makes me giddy.  We’re back to normal now.  At least as far as our hot water heater is concerned, as far as we are concerned – all bets are off.  OH, and check out the scary pictures on our Flickr page.  EWWWW.

PILATES AT GYPSY HANDS – GO DO IT!

Today I was fortunate enough to take my very first (since my dancing days), pilates class in Knoxville at Gypsy Hands lead by the amahzing (thank you Seth Rudetsky), Leslie Woods.  It was wonderful and HARD.  It’s about an hour long class and it’s structured around solid body awareness, not let’s kill each other by doing as many moves as possible and probably incorrectly.  Leslie is a great instructor and she makes it very accessible to anyone from beginner to whomever.  The class is looking for a permanent date and time so I’ll keep you all posted.  It was well worth it and I look forward to going back!

FRIENDS CAN CHEER UP A SICK GIRL

For the first time since Tuesday, I ventured out into the public.  Nose ragged from the relentless sneezing, blowing and such; hair unkempt and just managed to be whisked into a ponytail (I love having long hair); just needing to get into the sunlight and enjoy what was a wonderfully balmy day.  I’m still stuffed up.  I’m still coughing up gunk; but I needed to get out of the house.  I was becoming one with the couch and the bed.   So, surprisingly it was a good outing…

Step 1: Go to Pelanchos with a couple of good friends…the Jim, Mister PC (of Please Feed the Monkeys), and Mister AS.  Eat entirely too many chips because you haven’t eaten a lot for a week and laugh a lot.  Realize that we all need to get together more often.

Step 2: Go to Barnes & Noble and find some great new Foster Grant specs to help with computer viewing and have proof that I am aging.  Ah yes.  Some great scores at the bookstore and some new ideas about a side business project for me.

Step 3: Head out to Turkey Creek where I scored some great deals on tarts at Yankee Candle and some fun Clearance Items at World Market…then when checking out realize you notice someone and since you’re getting loopy because this is your first day out in the real world again you don’t say anything you just point and stare!  Luckily, the fabulous Mrs. MBW and Mr. BW (of The House of Flying Monkeys) didn’t hold my sick-chic styling against me.  It was good to see her out and about and being resilient with everything that’s been going on in her world.  She’s a strong one and a fighter and frankly, someone I just enjoy spending some time with when we get the time.

Step 4: Meet up with the CREW at Aubrey’s on Paper Mill Road for a light dinner because by this time, I’m swimming in “you should be in bed-itis”.  Had waaaaay too much fun with the incredible Mrs. AD & Mr. JD and her sister, Mr. PC (from above), and the awesomeness that is Mr. & Mrs. Dotson (of The Dotsons – go figure!).  We dined and dished the dirt.  Found out that Aubrey’s has really delicious cutlery (since the waitress couldn’t understand Maria’s accent); and just had a good time talking and catching up.  We then settled back in at the House of Douglas where we enjoyed the song stylings of Wii Music (courtesy of Mrs. AD), swag from Mr. JD’s movie closet, random you-tube silliness and more….

I’m EXHAUSTED; but I was very happy to be out of the house and trying to get back into normal, non-sick mode.  It’s amazing the effect that friends have on us.  Better than the Tylenol Cold & Flu I had been doing shots with all week long.  Much love and thanks to everyone for a great day.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ENVIOUS…

I went to the Knoxville Health Expo at the Convention Center Downtown where I stumbled upon a coupon offer for a new place in town: MASSAGE ENVY.  I haven’t had a good massage in like FOREVER, seriously, probably since I left Philadelphia which was almost 7 years ago now.  So, when I saw that I could get an hour massage for $39.00, I was ready to sign up.  So, I did.  The best part about the new massage place is that they have hours that fit real people’s lives (i.e. I think they are open till 10 PM), unlike a lot of spas which focus on hours that people work mostly or not too long after they get off work.  I digress.  So I hurriedly called up and got a great time slot, Friday at 5 PM right after work.  It’s been a long week and I have an INSANE week ahead of me next week, so I figured now was the best time.

I arrived there early and filled out the paperwork (the usual stuff – did you ever have a massage before, please don’t sue us, etc.); and the waiting room was nice and very professional looking.  I was scheduled with a male massage therapist who I think was a little not too thrilled to have to massage a big broad, but it might be me just assuming that.  Still, there was an uncomfortable snicker between him and another female massage therapist but I’m not sure what that was about.  Look, I’m not a small girl and haven’t been since I was 14 so deal.

Anyhow, I got walked back to the sparse treatment room, which was nicely lit and the massage table is topped with a warming blanket that you lay on which is nice.  After an awkward verbal exchange with my masseuse, he left, I stripped to the undies and the massage soon began.  Dispite some of the awkward beginnings, the massage was glorious. I opted for a Swedish Massage because it’s the most inclined towards generating a sense of relaxation.  It did.  The best part was I could feel the knots get worked through in my shoulder blades.  He also spent some good solid time on my neck which has problems and felt a lot better afterwards.  It was peaceful and definitely relaxing.  After my 50 minutes, I was up, with clothes on and out.

Now, here’s the BEST part about massage envy.  You can become a member.  For only $49.00 a month, which I can afford with my mad-money, you are assured a massage each month that you’ve already pre-paid for.  Plus, you get the member rate (49) instead of the non-member rate of $65.00.  So, I decided to become a member as the monthly fee is taken out starting next month (so all good).  I like the idea of paying for a service that you know you’ll use and believe me, with a stressful job I fully intend to indulge in my prepaid massage each month (and nicely they roll-over if you skip a month, ie. you don’t lose your month).  So…my recommendation is if you LOVE massages, MASSAGE ENVY in Bearden will make you feel like this delight is reasonable to maintain.  They also have a 1 time introductory massage rate of $39.00 for everyone, so no coupon needed!  Check them out…you might love it.