I've periodically listed the series of life changes that started in 2007, and the list keeps growing. I spent 12 years at the same job, 14 years in the same house, and 15 years in the same church. All those things have changed since 2007, some more than once. Here's a recap of changes I've listed before with additional changes over the last few ( Read more... )

Back in March or April, a friend posted a link to a blog entry on Nerd Fitness.  I'm not sure I even remember what the post was, perhaps one on fitness myths.  I subscribed to the blog and read posts every time I got an email notice regarding a new post, and I also started reading older posts on a variety of topics and checking out other resources ( Read more... )

The weather has cooled off, and it feels like fall now.  As usual, I'm more energized and optimistic than just about any other time of year.  Added to that, a friend challenged me to a weight loss contest that got me off my butt nutritionally speaking.  We all contributed $10/month, and she'll be awarding first, second and third place cash prizes ( Read more... )

Taking a deep breath and looking back, the last five years have been a series of big stressors.  I made a list in February 2011, and that list has grown since then.  Starting in 2007, we've

• Struggled to pay private school tuition for three during the 2006-2007 school year
• Realized we couldn't afford to continue doing so
• Debated, fussed, and finally ( Read more... )

I went for a walk today.  Of course I've been walking as needed to get around -- to and from the car, across parking lots, in stores while shopping.  But it was only yesterday that I got clearance (from both a physical therapist and a doctor) to start walking for exercise.  Today was the first time in over three months I've walked around the block ( Read more... )

I get overwhelmed by the array of choices and the heated debates about how to eat healthy, whether it matters, WHAT matters.  There are so many choices and so many heated debates.  First debate is what it's okay to eat:  omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, "seagan", nothing with nipples, no land animals, only raw, high fiber, low fat, low carb,, etc.  ( Read more... )

Last Friday I was finally able to set aside the single crutch I'd been using for a week or so and start walking, gingerly, on the "Darth Vader boot" as Ed calls it.  I'm fine on floors, but gardening on Saturday was challenging due to the uneven ground.  I was so pleased to be a little more mobile I probably overdid it, gardening several hours on ( Read more... )

When I posted last week, it looked like I'd lost a few more pounds, for a total weight loss this year of 12.4 pounds.  Those last two weigh-ins were done standing on one foot, with a splint resting on the scale and me making my best effort to not lean any of my weight on the crutches that were helping me stay upright ( Read more... )

It's been an interesting two plus weeks. 

• Friday Feb 17 my youngest was in a car crash with my Mother-in-Law after I encouraged him to go out to lunch with her.  They're both okay, but it was pretty stressful.
• Ed and I took the girls to the MVA for learner's permits Saturday morning. 
• We had company for dinner that Sat which was fun but stressful. 
• I ( Read more... )

In one of those odd confluences of life, working on a healthier lifestyle, gardening and social awareness have hooked up and created a vortex of change in my life.  Writing about my work on being healthier here and writing about one of my favorite hobbies on my gardening blog (http://gardeninthewoods.wordpress.com/) led to reading other blogs, to ( Read more... )