Before our recent trips, my husband and I enjoyed my Valentine's Day gift of a Romantic Couple's Day at a spa!

The morning began with us, almost nude, snuggling under blankets on our separate, but close-by, massage tables. First we enjoyed a papaya and bamboo foot scrub. Mmmmmmm, delicious! The next decadent treat was the scrubbing of our bodies with a bristle brush before rubbing us down with an aromatic chocolate oil. After a full Swedish massage, including some fantastic scalp and hand massages, we had warmed basalt stones placed on our backs and various other spots. It was such a relaxing and a marvelous experience for both of us! The tension had been pounded and kneaded out of our bodies.

Our skin was rosy pink and shiny by the end of this 90 minutes of attention. Weak-kneed, we made our way to the relaxation room to sip champagne and devour chocolate-covered strawberries! It was heavenly. Wrapped in terry- lined robes, we sat in high-backed chairs in front of a fireplace, while we talked about how amazingly good the total body massage was.

In the locker rooms, we changed into bathing suits to take advantage of the mineral swimming pool. The water was warm and soothing. Another pool area had two waterfalls --- one with five pounds of pressure and the other with a "knock-you-down" ten! Also, they had a polar bear plunge, whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms that we could use.

After having a gourmet lunch by the pool, we showered and headed home to the real world. It was a wonderful day --- one I would recommend to anyone who needs some quality time together or alone. Check out a day spa and pamper yourself in style!

1.  Everyone has value.

2.  Most things are easy after delivering a baby.

3.  There's nothing wrong with throwing like a girl.

4.  Dying isn't the worst thing that can happen to you.

5.  God is in the details.

Hello, Streamers!  I hope everyone has been fine while I've been gone.  Life is good! ~~~ Hugs, Rita B

Hello, Streamers, and a happy May 1st to all! Today is a hot one --- summer is not far behind. It's hard to believe that we are almost midway in the year! 2007 has been a slippery one for lots of us.

If you've missed my fresh blogging, it's because I've been out-of town for some family time in Virginia Beach, home of our famous Six Foot Blond. I didn't spot Sweet Six, but we had a great week and I had another wonderful Sister Day with two of my sisters! The older I get the more I miss my three sisters.

I've been taking lots of photographs of the beautiful flowers, especially irises, but the old BlogStream won't let me put them in my gallery! It's a mystery to me --- do I have to delete some before I add any more??? I know many of you active bloggers have had this problem in the past, so if you have any suggestions, please help me.

My favorite song of the week is by the Gym Class Heroes --- "Cupid's Chokehold" --- it's a winner and makes me smile!

Last night I finished the most amazing book, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. I know, Oprah did select it, but the book also just won the Pulitzer Prize for the best fiction. The writing is different --- there are no chapters --- but it is acclaimed as one of the best books of the year. I didn't want it to end! It's about a father and son trying to survive after the Apocalypse. Even if the story line scares you, it's worth a read. Tonight my book club, The Wine & Spine, will be discussing it, which should be interesting to see if we all agree on my choice of book of the week.

My Favorite In-Town Movie Star of the week is...... George Clooney!  Part of our downtown is closed for filming his movie "Leatherheads" and my mission of the month is to get a photograph of his sweet face --- with or without me!!!

After reading an article about people having to move to assisted-living centers because of poor health, I found my favorite quote of the week, by Julie Bolduc: "You have to have an open mind for everything. Wherever you are, honey, is what you make of it." So true, Miss Julie, and good luck in your new adventure!

Which reminds me, Streamer Friends, I'm packing again to leave this Thursday. We'll be gone for another week, saying a final good-bye to our dear friend, Bill. Thank you to all who sent their sympathies.

~~~May Day Hugs, Rita B

asking for our help,

will we know what they are saying?

When the plants speak to us

in their delicate, beautiful language,

will we be able to answer them?

When the planet herself

sings to us in our dreams,

will we be able to wake ourselves, and act?

Words by Gary Lawless