Jan 10th, Day 1

Yesterday's drive to Jim and Lollie's home in Oakton, VA was uneventful, except for two traffice jams.  Got there about 3:45PM and went to my brother-in-law, Jim, son's condo for supper and to babysit my new Great-nephew, Owen.

It's now around 7:30 on Sunday evening and I have had quite a day, I'm tired ... everything is so much better here than I had anticipated. I arrived around 1:30 PM and my host, Paula, was not quite ready for me. It was my fault because I had told her I would arrive later in the afternoon, so I drove over to the Diet Center (thank the Lord and Sudie for my GPS!!)and checked in.

I had more papers to complete so I went into the dining room, got some tea, sat down at a table with two clients who were back for a second time. They were very friendly and were able to answer many questions I had about the schedule and program. The Diet Center is a newly built facility. The gym and pool (salt water) are top notch. I met one woman who asked me if I was going to join the daily (I believe) water volleyball game. I guess I will - one armed!

By the time I got back to the house, Paula was ready for me and helped lug my stuff up to my suite over the garage. I have two bedrooms, bathroom, lounge chair, TV, Microwave. and a large space at the top of the stairs with a desk on which I am writing this blog. Paula is the perfect example of "Southern hospitality."  She has bent over backwards to be sure I am comfortable.  There is even  a coffee pot in this room and she has supplied coffee for me. There is a park across the street which as a long hiking trail which I plan to investigate this weekend.

I opened up a gift I had received from Roger, Michelle, and Ethan for Christmas.  It was a photo album with pictures of Ethan and family and wonderful thoughts on the page opposite.  They expressed such incredible support and love and I will treasure it while here and long afterwards too!!  Thank you!!!!

I went over to the center just before 5 for my first meal.  I saw a group sitting around an very comfortable plush chairs so I introduced myself.  One was a HUGE guy who must have weighed more than 350 pounds ...very friendly and when I told him I was from Maine, he pointed to  a woman sitting in another group and said she was from Maine too!  Turns out she runs a chamber music group somewhere north of Portland.

When it came time for dinner, we went in together and I learned my first set of instructions.  I went up to the serving area and asked where the ceasar salad I had seen another person with was.  No, I was directed to a file and I had to find a sheet with my name on it.  It turns out that for the first few days, I can not make many choices of what I eat, but in a few days, I will be able to choose between a few healthy food items.  I did get the Caesar salad, a large bowl of raspberries and blackberries, and a good sized portion of a vegetable. lasagna and green beans. Delicious!!!!!  I have been told that the food here is excellent and after tonight, I am a believer.  I WAS given a choice of a snack tonight and I chose celery and peanut butter, which I am eating as I write this blog.  I confess that I scooped out all the remaining peanut butter with my finger to be sure I got all I was allotted  :-)

I have a loose leaf binder which I will be filling up with all sorts of interesting info over the next 4 weeks. In it were two CD's, one a cookbook :-) and another is a guide while here. I also have my weekly schedule for all four weeks. Breakfast is at 7:30 AM and the first orientation begins at 8.  My last class "Mandatory Fitness Orientation"  ends at 5PM.

There is a pool table, ping pong table and large TV in the lounge upstairs.  On the bulletin board are sign-up sheets for special evening activities, some cost some are free. Tomorrow night a water coloring class is offered at $20.  There is also a "Client motivational Talk" which I might well go to. On Tuesday evening, there is a chance to go to Wal-Mart/Target, I guess for anyone who might need more clothing.

It's been a wonderful day, and after Sudie and I skype at 10PM  it's off to bed for me!