Groupon Weekend Part 2

On Saturday, I had scheduled Joel and I for massages at a spa in Old Town Alexandria.<br /><br />Whoa.<br /><br />I can't even believe that I just called that place "Old Town".  I cringe when I hear others use that term: it's for the uppity gang to call that part of Alexandria "Old Town", not me :).  After moving here and learning what exactly encompassed that part of Alexandria, the artsy swanky part of town, the term immediately annoyed me.  It's <i>still </i>Alexandria after all.  Rant ended.<br /><br />We each had hour long massages.  Mine was pretty painful, as are most massages for me.  I prefer deep tissue massages - where the masseuse pretty much drills her fingertips in to me to work out all the knots in my muscles.  My shoulders are littered with knots.  I also found out that my face and forearms are as well.  Wierd.<br /><br />After our massages, we still had the whole day to figure out some plans.  It was such a nice fall day so I suggested we go to some wineries.  We have a ton of wineries all throughout Virginia.  We had enough time to make it to 3.<br /><br />First up, we visited <a href="http://www.hartwoodwinery.com/temp2011/">Hartwood Winery</a> in Fredericksburg, VA.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQDqzjx6HPF9KPl_VBULSASfdp9a1nRn2Z9yTDK80-K9v8gFPIKy9uE7Q3G9kPiNGjWQM4zPAugMedYUBwPbJbZ5hCa5RUvuaryAjyJQn6sJ-zwGUaQ7BjL4YFSBwdIYRvshvfo9VGO8/s1600/Hartwood+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQDqzjx6HPF9KPl_VBULSASfdp9a1nRn2Z9yTDK80-K9v8gFPIKy9uE7Q3G9kPiNGjWQM4zPAugMedYUBwPbJbZ5hCa5RUvuaryAjyJQn6sJ-zwGUaQ7BjL4YFSBwdIYRvshvfo9VGO8/s400/Hartwood+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This was our favorite stop of the day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqWQd4pXEaZKAdlszKjUvKrWmAyCrAhBDu3Z9WDFwesTxWwM5MMgOeuuRmVjfQVpZnGXnv72UF9MFBOll4S_B07G9MegyhEFJfRTKvtZj1qyKrnpC3K1d_6Y1l6WdS78K8IKRe4rM6wc/s1600/Wagon+Wheel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqWQd4pXEaZKAdlszKjUvKrWmAyCrAhBDu3Z9WDFwesTxWwM5MMgOeuuRmVjfQVpZnGXnv72UF9MFBOll4S_B07G9MegyhEFJfRTKvtZj1qyKrnpC3K1d_6Y1l6WdS78K8IKRe4rM6wc/s400/Wagon+Wheel+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We got to talk with the owner of the winery and he helped us find the perfect wines to fit our tastes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kZIenS-Zyib5OVDA8MsQ7HEwb57ELBopoJ1Vx5Zc0DgXwNtseAFzLUi12SBbKdLjliRg6IAdjgcyJXBcbKY8Nr0RLC8oU20vbLP13pYsK6hpAWeZVvBmPaTPKVIHQVy5-PbDkOMxQEc/s1600/hartwood+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kZIenS-Zyib5OVDA8MsQ7HEwb57ELBopoJ1Vx5Zc0DgXwNtseAFzLUi12SBbKdLjliRg6IAdjgcyJXBcbKY8Nr0RLC8oU20vbLP13pYsK6hpAWeZVvBmPaTPKVIHQVy5-PbDkOMxQEc/s320/hartwood+2.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />Next we headed to <a href="http://www.rogersfordwine.com/">Rogers Ford Farm</a> in Sumerduck, VA.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPKbaz1poJW71pWwTGCJ1JgrzDNDoxPJYCyIIOGrMD0fqJOBCF22gyCnF4Y1QzZ_x45mX9a8N8ULZpxLala1ECYLUr_U_1zIOq2N36yMxsewNssrTzQRq0oUhekg2kb_WfDJ9zQ9V0NA/s1600/Rogers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPKbaz1poJW71pWwTGCJ1JgrzDNDoxPJYCyIIOGrMD0fqJOBCF22gyCnF4Y1QzZ_x45mX9a8N8ULZpxLala1ECYLUr_U_1zIOq2N36yMxsewNssrTzQRq0oUhekg2kb_WfDJ9zQ9V0NA/s400/Rogers+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />This place was really off the beaten path - just the way I like 'em.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI10svfsaaDDM8eBNEaZ5pSt_Ofgv_18KUKVs-VDau5BiJ_4VxaBXyqYqNg4tzWj9Wuvjhyphenhyphen3QTYt9zLiFwEev_ZS9fTMNGmZ-GsKa5I3XJWvEz2tqu6hv7I1u4dzR4Tb11rtxJlp1vaYA/s1600/Rogers+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI10svfsaaDDM8eBNEaZ5pSt_Ofgv_18KUKVs-VDau5BiJ_4VxaBXyqYqNg4tzWj9Wuvjhyphenhyphen3QTYt9zLiFwEev_ZS9fTMNGmZ-GsKa5I3XJWvEz2tqu6hv7I1u4dzR4Tb11rtxJlp1vaYA/s400/Rogers+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Of course we had to do a self-timer.  Disregard my lack of dressing up please :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy2rxEUi58GgQC5zdhamOQGKJzprqAsgoPrkbexdj_DrRXPzE0_Kbi7AHyT-nE9FRlA_Kf5VpnEh6jGEnFKfigOSjb-yO4mmrF0r4gWfXwkq2p_zFBbvxGlPR75xU_Hj0Fq_VVH-mM8E/s1600/Rogers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy2rxEUi58GgQC5zdhamOQGKJzprqAsgoPrkbexdj_DrRXPzE0_Kbi7AHyT-nE9FRlA_Kf5VpnEh6jGEnFKfigOSjb-yO4mmrF0r4gWfXwkq2p_zFBbvxGlPR75xU_Hj0Fq_VVH-mM8E/s400/Rogers+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And finally we ended our vino tour at the <a href="http://www.potomacpointwinery.com/">Potomac Point vineyard</a> in Stafford, VA.  This was the swankiest winery of all 3.  There was even a wedding going on when we arrived.  The tasting room was very fancy and also very busy.  We bought 2 bottles at this place and that ended our day. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Arxp-4LEgx7I2DsXO18Nmf8MOQML7Fx2SUHd2zi7am_zaPJrZkPCDad9Savn_RNIfNrRfig75P3GD2oRLpXQWjM5962vwaxXsXUSo_T6RYP0CDnYYbjwZrqoM6TV0y-cljuAELF2olI/s1600/Groupon+Weekend+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Arxp-4LEgx7I2DsXO18Nmf8MOQML7Fx2SUHd2zi7am_zaPJrZkPCDad9Savn_RNIfNrRfig75P3GD2oRLpXQWjM5962vwaxXsXUSo_T6RYP0CDnYYbjwZrqoM6TV0y-cljuAELF2olI/s400/Groupon+Weekend+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />So how does the Groupon weekend relate to weight loss?  For me, when I stay busy, I don't eat.  And while we were busy on a 3 hour sailing adventure and a wine tour, I wasn't eating.  Now, sure, I was consuming calories from wine tasting, but I accounted for that and moved on.  Part of the weight loss journey for me is the mental aspect as well (not just the physical).  If I keep myself busy and get out and enjoy other things about life (instead of sitting at home....eating), it helps me realize that my life doesn't have to revolve around food - it can and should be centered around doing fun things instead of worrying about my next meal. <br /><br />On Sunday, Joel and I finished off our busy weekend with some football and a wine and cheese affair:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf_QcWZKvZjNxOoD7c0KrR-JTUu7YpxpoCksfl5EMPV8zbU8DRVnOZws_tPi0ouZ3Bs7Rc8Vsd-H9hoEcoXcdB4A8e5RFdcCF6SBttDht9Po0uBHhM5v7bEzlBfaYfD_bcVTAt60YmUk/s1600/wine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf_QcWZKvZjNxOoD7c0KrR-JTUu7YpxpoCksfl5EMPV8zbU8DRVnOZws_tPi0ouZ3Bs7Rc8Vsd-H9hoEcoXcdB4A8e5RFdcCF6SBttDht9Po0uBHhM5v7bEzlBfaYfD_bcVTAt60YmUk/s400/wine+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I hope you're having a wonderful week everybody :).<br /> <br /> Cheers!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkVWBlVMiR-cl2A7pofoiH5OEzCWM6Ya-Jh51oQ4lgB8AI4GyHwpjwgvGrhSshyPTLY9YBsKyv8Mq24oKiW1-hZt2hUHiTtPutb6LDhrFD0qrklnLcC68Dn-CgReVkZ-pHkzazbmXS0U/s1600/wine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkVWBlVMiR-cl2A7pofoiH5OEzCWM6Ya-Jh51oQ4lgB8AI4GyHwpjwgvGrhSshyPTLY9YBsKyv8Mq24oKiW1-hZt2hUHiTtPutb6LDhrFD0qrklnLcC68Dn-CgReVkZ-pHkzazbmXS0U/s400/wine+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />

Miscellaneous Groupon Weekend Part 2

On Saturday, I had scheduled Joel and I for massages at a spa in Old Town Alexandria.Whoa.I can't even believe that I just called that place "Old Town".  I cringe when I hear others use that term: it's for the uppity gang to call that part of Alexand…

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