Hi Penny!!  Missed ya! These old foggies in this group just have NO sense of humor, ya know?  Anyways, one quick though for you.  As frusterating as it may be at times, as long as you keep fighting, you really can't lose.  Huggs Becky

durhampdsc <DurhamPDSC@...> wrote:

I turn up again.

I am glad to be back, because it means my life has settled some and I
can pay more attention to the things I really like.....plus I have a
race to put in the database and wanted to read MY name in print on
the weekend preview!

April, as a month, stunk.  Too much stress, what with my momma being
in the hospital twice and not able to identify what was causing her
fever, and hanging out with my dad to make sure he didn't light the
house on fire accidently, and of course my teenager still hasn't
grasped the concept of grades that don't make parental units
screech....anyway, it is over and I have some new routines down that
are making life easier and include doing some serious parent care,
plus kid care, plus taking care of me.

My recovery program got a big boost this month, regardless....I took
out some emotional trash and have felt quite good afterwards. 

We also refinanced our house, watched my husband get day upon day of
sub teaching in, and he has applications for full time teaching in as
well. 

Two cars quit this month, our Jeep and my parents' van.  The Jeep is
fixed and the van is towed to the shop. 

I found a new doctor, an internist, who so far has taken very good
care of me.  I had a blood test this month (a high sensitivity CRP)
which indicated my risk for coronary artery disease was in the high
range.  Treatment for it is exercise, flossing, and lowering my
cholesterol (which I lowered last year from 232 to 198, now I need to
get it to 160 if I can).  Weight loss is also indicated.  To that
end, I've lost six pounds of the 45 I have to lose, and I've just
been able to do some of the things that help me lose weight,
including keeping a food journal.  My goal is 45 pounds off by April
1, 2005.  I know I can do it. 

I am not running yet, but walking briskly for exercise, lifting
weights, and doing the elliptical at the gym and Pilates at home.  As
I lose weight, slowly but surely, I feel the tug of wind playing
around me, whispering "run, run."  Bet I'm running by the end of the
summer.  I've looked for races to do, most of them are on the weekend
I work, but I'll keep looking. 

hugs,
Dixie