I MADE IT (WELL I MADE IT WITH HELP)

I made it over to Gig Harbor...good old Bob came and picked me up at my office at 5pm and took me over there.  It was bumper to bumper traffic and raining cats & dogs on the trip over. I'm so glad I wasn't driving.   We found the place where the seminar was being held (a beautiful new hotel) and settled in for the evening. It was my job to sit at the registration table and check people in.  They had wonderful snacks...all kinds of fruit, cheese and crackers, veggies.... and great coffee.  I drink decaf and usually that's not used up very fast , so is rarely good.  Theirs was wonderful !   The presentation on sleep problems (insomnia, sleep apnea, etc) was very interesting.  The health system does have a Sleep Study Center....actually it's right across the street from where I work and the doctor giving the lecture was from there.  It's amazing how many people suffer with sleep problems....I can't remember the figures but it's up in the millions.   He also talked about the different levels of sleep and what processes our bodies goes thru during those levels.  I was surprised to learn that a lot of people with a weight problem actually also have a sleep problem.  If we are not sleeping properly, our bodies produce a higher level of cortisol (bad stuff & causes weight gain). Also sleep interruptions can cause serious problems like high blood pressure, even heart failure.  He said it's important for all humans to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted   sleep.  That's just some of the facts I learned.    He also talked about the benefits of CPAP machines, for people with apnea.  (I should have taken notes but I didn't.)   Anyway, sleep is very important to all mammals (I guess I have to quit bugging Gabi when she's sleeping)

When we left it was as clear as a bell.  No rain what-so-ever  !!   Coming back across the Narrows Bridge was breath taking...the new bridge being built, is lit up with huge lights...it is so very beautiful.   I think they may have actually been working on it, even at night.   If you go to the following web site when it's night time here in Washington, you can catch a glimpse of it;  http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/    There seems to be several cams out there available for public viewing.  They are in the process of lifting the decks that will be the road on the new bridge.  They are being built in South Korea and transported across the Pacific ocean to our area.  It takes approximately 4 hours to lift each section into place.  But you can read all about that too, at the web site I've given. 

Well, it's been a long day....time to go down the hall with my book and my kitty.      Until next time......Linda

P.S. Mr Bob has agreed to go to the Fair with me again on Friday (9-22-06) afternoon and then to the Beach Boys Concert at 7 Friday night.  I'm going to take my camera along and see if I can get some night time fair pictures.  The midway, where the rides are is especially beautiful at night.