LIfe

I feel energized! As I mentioned as the new year began a few short weeks ago, I'm consciously making the effort to do my body (and mind) good. In week 2:

• I've been able to rearrange my work schedule so that I work 8-2, Monday through Friday. I now have a few hours 2 days of a week to take a breath - do errands if needed - take a quick nap before I need to pick up Maddy at her Nana's. I now have 3 hours the other 3 days of the week to be able to WORK OUT at the YWCA - cardio, strength & swimming!
  

• I've signed up for 2 days of yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at work! They are offering it for free. Did I mention, though not working in a library right now, that I love my job and my place of employment? :D

• I am in a FIT CLUB at work - a team of 4. We're "The Leaner of the Pack". LOL We count points daily for things like doing 15 minutes of stress management, 7 hours of sleep the night before, 5 servings of fruits & vegetables, 50 oz. of water, etc.
  

• Organize an evening AWAY on Saturday for Joe and I. My folks are giving us a night at a nice posh hotel in Appleton for the evening as a belated anniversary present (Thanks, Mom & Dad), and Joe's folks are taking care of Madeline for the afternoon & evening (Thanks, Mom & Dad!). It's partially a birthday party for me and our friend Tom - our B'day is celebrated Wednesday (the 24th).
  

I am hopeful this weight can be shed.
I am hopeful my cholesterol will be lower when I get it checked in May.
I am hopeful the higher levels dopamine & serotonin will increase my mood.

Life is good!

a new year

The Year of the Elbow is over. Long live the New Year.

Joe and I spent the evening with great friends, and brought in the new year the best way possible - via hot tub. :D Of course, it would have been better if it wasn't rainy or windy, but it was a lot of fun and very relaxing.

On the list of things I'd like to accomplish this year:

• For the first time in my life, I'm going to put fitness as a priority.
  

My cholesterol is way too high. I'd like to lose weight. I want Maddy to know how important fitness is and to set a good example. I'm going to join the YWCA, attend yoga classes, swim at least once a week. My elbow is doing well, and it feels fantastic being able to swim!

• Eat and help plan the family meals more efficiently / effectively.

We've been so amazingly busy trying to live day to day and by the end of the day, we usually stare into the refrigerator or the freezer or the cupboard, waiting for the dinner fairy to delight us with healthy, yummy cuisine. For some reason, that's not working.

• Work towards being able to plan a real vacation for sometime this year.

We haven't had a real, go-anywhere vacation in a long time and Maddy's never had a vacation. I don't count last February in Ohio to visit family - any trip when you end up in the emergency room does NOT count!

:) Happy New Years to you and yours! What's on your list?

What a difference 60 days makes

60 days ago was my surgery. I had a ton of pain in the elbow itself - weakness - tingling all through the arm - generally owie.

Now, after 4 weeks of therapy, stretching, strenghtening & pain meds, I am able to type properly, eat with my right arm again, wash my hair with my right arm again, and generally use my arm without too much pain. I'm not 100% healed yet. You have to remember this battle has been since February 25, 2006 when I broke my elbow in the first place.

Things I'm looking forward to being able to do by the summer 2007:

• Practice yoga
• Start playing "Quincy" (my cello)
• Get strong enough to be able to use the computer mouse in my right hand

I'm thrilled to say the least! Thanks for supporting me in this journey.....

:) Karen