Got My Ticket . . .

and I'm ready to go!!! Wednesday morning, at 12:03 a.m., I will be in my seat at the IMAX 16 ready to watch the next installment of THE MOVIE --- the long awaited "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"!!!
Everyone who knows me is quite aware that I am a true "Potterhead"! I love the books and the movies. For the past week, I have been furiously rereading THBP to finish it in time for the movie. Today, I don't have to work at Target until 6:30, so I got up early and have been rewatching the movies. I'm just starting "The Goblet of Fire".

I know it probably sounds childish to alot of people to be so hooked on these movies, but I truly enjoy them. It's been fun watching the characters grow and change as well as watching the actual actors grow up and refine their acting craft. Also, the set design, costumes and special effects are truely AMAZING!!!

Anyway, that's where I'll be on Tuesday nite (actually Wednesday morning before the crack of dawn) with a smile on my face and a box of Raisinettes in my hand! THEN, it's only a week until the 3-D version of the movies comes out and I will be back at my local IMAX again. I think I can actually talk Donita into going to that one with me -- as long as it's an earlier showing!

Can't wait!!!

At the Race, Race . . .

in the month of May -- come to the race! As Bob Kevoian sings, Sunday I went to the race! I took my friend Mike and my Mom -- both Indy 500 "virgins"!! (And ya know ya got a love a good virgin - ha!) We had a great time!

A friend of mine from work gave me FREE tickets and an excellent parking pass (we were one block from the track!!) -- thanks again, Pete and Dianna!!! Our seats were in the Southeast Vista which put us at the entrance to the second turn. So we could see the drivers coming into the first turn, taking the second turn, driving down the back straightaway, and going into the third turn. The pic above is of the pace car leading the pack right before the start of the race.

Looking down the back straightaway into the third turn. This photo was taken right before the start of the race -- there really were people sitting in these seats when the race began!

We were directly across from the snakepit. Unfortunately, this was the calm end of the snakepit, so we didn't see anyone getting really out of control. Just a couple of fat guys without shirts on. I didn't take any pictures of them -- no one wants to see that. You can thank me later!

This was my 7th time going to the 500, but only the third time seeing the entire race. In my earlier life, I went to the race three times -- twice it was rained out. One year I bartended at the track. Didn't see the race, but made lots of $$$$. In 2007, Christopher and I went to the race. It was rain delayed twice but that didn't stop our fun. We sat in the rain in our rain ponchos and garbage bags with our umbrellas up and ate chicken, talked and had a terrific time. Dario Franchitti won that year in a race that was eventually called because of the pouring -- and I do mean pouring -- rain!

This year was sunny, the race (although delayed by accidents I think 9 times) was completed and won by Helio! I've already checked out the date for next year and hope to be able to go again! Love it!!!

Oh Yeah . . .

Diet and Exercise . . .

Yuck!! I hate them both. If we can put a man on the moon, we can surely come up with a way to make decent junk food that tastes great and doesn't add to my always expanding hip region, don'cha think ?!?!?

With summer coming up, I've really been trying to watch what I've been eating -- damn you Easter Peeps -- and trying to increase my workout. It's always easier for me to diet once fresh fruits and veggies start appearing in the stores' produce departments. I adore fresh strawberries and bananas for breakfast, salad loaded with lots of fresh carrots, cukes, tomatoes and radishes for lunch, and then my favorite frozen diet meals for dinner.

In addition to providing a wonderful workout facility on-site for all employees to use without charge, my wonderful boss (who doesn't blog by the way or know that I have a blog or probably even know what a blog is -- so I'm not kissing butt here!!) has gifted a personal trainer to anyone at IMG who wants to work out 2 days a week after work FOR FREE!! Did I mention it was FREE?!?!? Anyway, about 30 of my fellow out-of-shape employees have signed up for exercise classes with Rob and Steve (our personal trainers) who come to our work at 5:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and KICK OUR BUTTS!! We've had two classes so far and my muscles are crying out in agony!! These guys pull no punches and make us use muscles that have long ago dissolved into flab. We've been learning butt kicks, mountain climber, cherry picker, cat arch, superman, etc. I have been loving every minute of it!!

I've been on Weight Watchers for several years -- having met my goal weight several times during those years -- if ya know what I mean. I found these delicious treats from Weight Watchers that help keep me on the straight and narrow and actually make dieting not quite so hard.

These little beauties are great for breakfast. Only 4 points per sandwich and they actually taste almost like the ones from Mickey D's. The cheese even melts!!! I eat these a couple days a week with some fresh fruit and I am good to go until lunch.

The WW Key Lime Pies are a great touch of sweetness after a salad lunch. They are really smooth and creamy and have lotsa tang from the lime. I love 'em!

SO --- I have been working out everyday on my lunch hour in our workout facility and now working with a Rob and Steve two nights a week for an hour. I've dusted off my trusty bicycle so I can ride as soon as it decides to stop raining in Indy. Hopefully, I will begin to see some changes in my body SOON!! I will keep you posted.

Keep me in your prayers . . .

Time, Time, Time . . .

It seems the older I get the more I worry about time. I look at what's behind me and hope there is lots more before me. God, that sounds deep for 7 am! Sorry!

This Daylight savings crap is really beating me down. I hate getting up in the dark! It's almost 8 am and it's still *bleeping* dark outside!!! What's up with that!?! I doubt it saves that much energy and it's certainly messing with my brain.

I went to bed early last night (10:30) to try to catch up on some zzzzzzzzs, but one of my smoke alarms went off at 12:30 am. No smoke in the house, so I went to the garage, got a step ladder and changed the battery. Silence, green light, all is well. Or so I thought. 5:30 am. Same damn smoke alarm goes off -- not the constant beep, beep, beep like there is actual smoke. Just an occasional beep beep that is annoying enough I can't turn over and sleep through it. Got the step ladder again, changed the freaking battery again . . . silence, green light, all is well. RIGHT? But no. 1/2 hour later beep beeping starts again. Pulled the flipping thing out of the ceiling. That'll teach it!! Going to buy new batteries tonight and see if that will work. Otherwise it's curtains for that particular alarm.

BEWARE ALL WHO COME IN CONTACT WITH ME TODAY -- lack of sleep makes Sandy JUST A LITTLE CRANKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must get to work.

It's Been a Long Time Coming . . .

and it will probably be a little longer, unfortunately. I have been having problems with my computer, specifically the camera part, and I haven't had enough time to sort things out and reload programs that have crashed, etc.

Anyway, I will hopefully be up and running soon!