Soft Shell Crabs, or Things Aren’t Always What You Hope....by Lisa

Ever feel duped? Or buy or get something, expecting one thing, only to find that it is not at all what you expected? I recently went to dinner with a friend, and she ordered the soft shell crab entree. Soft shell crabs are blue crabs that are harvested just before they molt, and are eaten as soon as the shell is molted, while the crab is still soft. The shell can begin to grow back within a day, so harvesting the crabs at just the right time is of the utmost importance. I tried soft shell crab once years ago, and was utterly disappointed that it was a small, not-so-soft-shell crab that was mostly inedible. I googled it, and sure enough, they are served fried or sautéed, often as a sandwich, and you eat the whole thing as its served to you, those little crunchy legs and all. It was too crunchy for me, but maybe the one I had just wasn’t as tender as it was supposed to be. I didn’t say anything to her when she ordered it, because I assumed she knew what it was that she was ordering. As it turns out, she didn’t realize that a soft shell crab was something entirely different from the crab meat we are familiar with that comes from crab legs or a can of crab (I’m not referring to the fake crab meat sticks that are made of fish and have no shell). So what she ordered did not quite meet her expectation. Sounds like a lot of times in life, when expectation and reality don’t meet. Sometimes it happens because we make assumptions. Sometimes its because we don’t ask the right questions and so don’t get the information we need. And maybe sometimes its just happenstance. Enjoy the sandwich (crunch crunch)!

It's a Fun Friday....by Jodi

It's called Fun Friday. I have been teaching this class 17 years. Basically, it is a place to bring a child between the ages of 1-4 and they get to play! I offer free play with lots of toys, circle time with a few songs, a play dough table and a simple craft. I also send kids   away with a parachute dance and a simple song with a puppet, sticker and 2 pretzels. Packed in an hour and it is just as much for the adults as the kids, everyone has a good time.

People bring their grandchildren, their own children, they sign up with their friends or neighbors, they bring children they care for and some bring more than one child. Dads come to play, siblings come to have fun, aunts bring their cameras and moms just come to chat. The class is designed for everyone to come and have a great time and they usually do! It's a good thing.

Many have tried to take my place at various times in my life but few have been able to. I designed this class around my strengths and what I wanted to share with my own child when he was so small. Mostly the same songs are sung each week because children like repetitive motions, they like to know what to count on. A simple craft is offered each class. I always tease and say the crafts are for the adults to relax with. It's really just there to expose kids to various stickers, markers, glue, tissue papers and construction papers. This class is meant to be fun and if the kids learn something while we're at it, more power to them!

It's designed to be an hour long class and it is meant to have an adult watch over the child to make sure they don't beat another child or take the toy he plays with. Kids learn how to share, pick up toys or sing songs. It is a good thing because most people figure out that the kids can play and the grownups can watch them but still chat with the other grownups. The adults direct the kids to the activity but it is ultimately up to the child, as to what he gets out of it, know it or not. The class meets for 4 hour long classes during a 4 week session. 4 weeks pass quickly and people usually come back, we have many alumni with adults bringing all their offspring through the program, it's a cool thing.

To be the class facilitator you need to be easy going. Mean, crybaby kids come out once in a blue moon, you need to be understanding. The job is to make them feel like it's the way everyone is at sometime and this too shall pass, that is the reality, it will pass! People come to class late but it's designed so they can pick it up and join in at anytime. The philosophy has to be, the more the merrier, because it is more fun with more kids present. A facilitator needs to be on time, everything needs to be ready to be messed up and don't be upset if things don't go the way they are planned. An instructor needs to be able to go by the seat of his pants. It's a time for children and grown ups to explore and use their imaginations.

If you set it up, they will come, and come they do. The people become your friends. You know what is happening with their lives. Hopefully, they will bring their additional kids to class, usually they do. Sometimes, we go to a place the kids can play in a playland and adults can eat lunch and continue to chat, it's a fun time to be had by all. Sometimes, I organize a Mom's Night Out so the moms can just go out to play, which is also fun to do. This class is designed by me, taught by me and looks easier to teach than it really is, which is also by careful design. That is my idea of a Fun Friday!

My Sister in Spirit....by Lisa

Well, she wrote about me so I’m writing about her. We have been friends in sunshine and in rain, as the saying goes. We met in 10^th grade, when we were both in the fall play-I think it was Arsenic and Old Lace. We lived across the street from each other so it was convenient for carpooling, and that helped our friendship along. I remember being in the car and we were all singing along with the radio, “Sad Eyes”. Jodi had this little dog named Kwi (pronounced Chi, like the greek letter), and he was ferocious. He was going to devour me alive with all the energy his 10 pounds of fur could muster. I had to hide in her closet until he could be cooped up so he wouldn’t bite me. We used to play tennis together at the tennis courts where I lived, we rode the bus when we had to and endured being taunted by the kids who lived in the trailer park. Jodi and Mike would pick me up and drive me to school sometimes so I didn’t have to ride the bus, thank goodness. In Spanish class, in the “6^th Grade Club”, we called the bus the Big Yellow Taxi. Our friend Daryl was in the club, in fact I think he invented it. He was an unconventional kid who drew drawings a la Mad Magazine, usually involving depictions of people with boogers coming out of their noses.  There was a guy named Dan in the class, and although I don’t think he was really part of the 6^th grade club, he used to let me wear his class ring around school, which I thought was really cool, because we weren’t dating. Anyway, Jodi and I used to make collages a lot, with cutout pictures and words from magazines. And we tried to write each other notes in Spanish. Jodi came and saw my infant son in 1984 when I was home visiting, and then I didn’t see her again until her wedding to Mike. After that we didn’t see each other until April 2010—about a 20 year gap! We lost touch at times but always found each other. Jodi has wisdom like no one else in my life-and what I appreciate so much about her is that she is the only person who will really tell it to me straight. She calls me out on my “stuff”, tells it like it is. She tells me to grow up and get my act together when I need to be told that, even if I don’t like it (she’s right). I need that and I know where I can go to get the truth, spoken in love. She is my sister in spirit, and I’m so thankful for her presence in my life. We’re different but alike. We can talk until we are out of words and still have things to say. She loves me and I know it, and that is priceless, like the things you can’t buy with Mastercard! I hope she knows that I love her too, and that I treasure the friendship we share. Hugs!

Ya' Gotta Have Friends... by Jodi

I want to write about my very dear friend, Wahooman, fondly known as Lisa. Have I told you how wonderful I think she is? She is a super duper friend and human being!

I met Lisa when I was a sophomore in high school. She lived across the street from me and we rode the same school bus. Lisa is so smart, because of that, we only had Spanish together throughout high school. We sure had a fun time in that class being in the '6th grade club' (inside joke). We had lunch together and we were in the sophomore play together. After my first marriage, we had a gap in our friendship and only spoke every few years. Then one day we started being close friends again. We used to joke about 'when we would be old ladies' and now we are certainly on our way!

One of our 'worst' moments of friendship, we were mean girls. We had waited in the lunch line at school and sat down to eat lunch together. There was this odd girl who we fondly called, "Griz". Still to this very day Lisa calls her sister, "Griz." She wasn't the one who sat down at our table to eat lunch that day though. We were in disbelief, right there "Griz" sat down with us! I started to giggle and Lisa started to giggle, this was totally out of character for a girl like this girl. This was a large girl who we believed bordered on being mentally challenged and she was sitting with us! We couldn't hold back our laughter and actually got up and left the table! Last time Lisa came out, we spoke about the hilarity of it and we couldn't fathom how mean it was of us to leave the table, holding in our comments and chuckles. It really was a horrible thing to do, this girl showed the bravery of sitting down with us and we reacted horribly to it. We agreed it was not our shining moment and really out of character for us to be so mean. But, we were just young girls and had no clue we were being so awful. Today, we might discuss how bizarre her behavior was at a later date, but we would welcome anyone to sit with us and break bread. A case of when we sure learned our lesson!

Lisa has given me great advice. She has a lot of insight about things. We chat about parents, being one and having them. We eat together and cook together. I remember making 'Zucchini Frittata' and I still make it to this day. I remember finding the recipe in "Seventeen" magazine, I still have the original copy of it. We were together when Lady Diana married Prince Charles, I remember Lisa's haircut was like Di's. I remember the day she told me she got it her hair cut like the Princess. We were together again for the day the royal couple tied the knot this year. We chatted about it and I reminded her of that haircut she got so many moons ago.

Lisa has been so good to me. She sends me surprises through the mail and comes out to visit me. I wish we lived closer. She makes me feel good. She chats with me daily, we e-mail, text and chat on the phone. We play 'Words With Friends' together (even though I am on hiatus) and we write this blog together! Lisa is such a gifted writer and I enjoy her perspective on things. We spoke together about blogs and she has inspired me to write again. She has inspired me to do many things and I am eternally grateful for her. She guides me through this maddening thing called life, I don't know what I would do without her friendship. I hope I never find out again! Thanks Wahooman, I love you.

The Lesser of the Evils?....by Lisa

This time we’re writing about our own bad habits and vices. I sought input from my highly trusted advisors who know me well (jive translation—my family and close friends). My daughter said, without hesitation, that I worry too much sometimes. Fair enough. She also tells me I drive with one hand sometimes, and that gives her the willies (she’s learning to drive, so I think that’s good).  And hey, I’m not the one who has dented the cars and backed into buildings (that was Kate’s dad, oops). And she says that a little more than often, I am tense. I was surprised to learn that she can sense it so well. Got any instant cures for that?

Another of my loved ones tells me I overanalyze things. Hey, I’m female! I look for the hidden meaning in things people say and don’t say. I thought that was an innate female trait. They say that one’s greatest strength can also be one’s greatest weakness. That is definitely the case with my analyzing interactions with people, and relationships. I call myself an amateur psychologist, and much of the time my read on people is correct. I also tend to “help others too much”. I’m not sure whether those who benefit from it would think it’s too much, but I do have a strong desire and need to be helpful. It’s my calling, and I’ve thought that since I was a kid. I have learned over time that I need to keep tabs on it, because sometimes I can get wrapped up in giving help that really isn’t needed or wanted.

I don’t smoke, am not addicted to alcohol or drugs, and I hate roller coasters. I’m not into high-risk behaviors. I do love iced tea and drink it multiple times a day, because a day without tea is like a day without sunshine. I have started the bad habit of drinking diet pop almost daily, and I wish I would kick that habit. I have taken to liking cupcakes an awful lot, because they are so pretty and delicious. I intend to exercise every day but I don’t do it on days when I’m not with my walking buddy (thanks Lynda for keeping me going). I don’t bite my nails or crack my knuckles. I’m told I talk too much—hey, women have to get like 25,000 words a day in. Ladies, unite! Talk to me! I’m sometimes too neat and tidy for the people around me. I do “kitchen work” before going to bed so that there are no dirty dishes in the sink. Overall, I just try too hard, try to please other people, to be “good enough”, and I usually think that somehow I fail. I’m much too hard on myself. That’s where I am right now and how I will end for today—I have to learn to stop beating myself up.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want..."by Jodi

What are my vices? Chocolate, without a doubt. Sweets, from cake to pie. Sex, I really like! Lip balm, no doubt about it. My ipad as well but because I use it for notes and stuff. I would have said pad and paper at one time. Food is good too. Can you tell eating might be an issue?

In the past, what have been your vices? Mochas from Starbucks, with whip, please. I also went through a chai tea stage, from any coffeehouse, morning, noon or night. Was addicted to diet soda. Went through a diet Mug root beer stage, moved to a diet, caffiene-free Pepsi addiction which turned into diet 7Up addiction. Gave up the fancy hot drinks during Lent this year, even though I had a mocha the first day I could, I haven't had one since. Tried giving up soda, cut it way back to one or two a day. I will give that up sometime in the near future. I have started drinking tap water with lots of ice. Those are my recent vices. Past vices? Wine, sangria, margaritas, basically, any mixed fruity drink. I never became an alcoholic but I easily could have. It runs in my family, I enjoy the taste of booze. I was drinking a lot in my early 20's and heard on the radio that many people turn into alcoholics because they don't get hangovers. I never got a hangover, I cut back on my drinking and avoided that problem. Last drink I had was a shot of Ouzo with Dan, that was pretty darn good, but enough. Last drink before that, I had vodka and lemonade that went right to my head, that was over two years ago. Went through a cloves stage. I love the smell of burning cloves, it can make me feel lightheaded. It stopped like it started, never turned into a habit. Many people in my life have vices I could make my own. Gambling is a big one. I like to play BIG but I can't afford to lose so I stay away from it. I could play the horses really easily but stay away from there too. I used to be addicted to working out, that lasted about 3 years. I was addicted to the spa, that lasted about 5 years. I have been guilty of some OCD things in the past but they went in a hurry. I was addicted to the "fat chick room" on AOL but I met Dan, he took care of that one! 

I am addicted to food. That could be why I have always battled my weight? I love chocolate, just having it daily makes me smile. I used to be addicted to ice cream, had to have it daily, now I just enjoy it now and again, the sweetness is too much. I like french fries and pizza, my downfalls. I need to have them each at least once, if not two or three times a week. I like the richness in desserts, I usually share though. I have given up a lot of that stuff in my day, it isn't that tough for me to avoid. Food, in general, works for me. From grilled steaks, to breakfast to enchiladas, I can be in the mood for food. I love veggies and I could have a thing for fresh bread and butter. I like butter, not like I used to, but I still enjoy butter. I have a wide and varied food thing happening. Might have to do with boredom and entertainment? I will consult my therapist. Trust me when I say, I like sex. Totally was addicted to it, enjoy it now as well but I am not addicted to it. Though, I could be again? Ultimately, I really need my lip balm! I use it like 5 times an hour. I am addicted to having moist lips. I have a tube everywhere I go, in my purse, next to the bed, by the tv, next to the computer. I buy it from Trader Joe's in the 3 pack. If I was on a deserted island, what 5 things would I need? Water, my Bible, my working iPad, Dan and my lip balm! Not in any specific order, mind you. What if I could only have one thing? Argh! Counting on..."If you try sometime, you just mind find, you get what you need."

Happy Mother's Day....by Lisa

It’s Mother’s Day this weekend. I’m heading to my mom’s for the weekend, as I have done for the last few years. It’s really important to her to see her children on that day, so I decided I would honor that.

Mother’s Day reminds me of the other mothers who have been so important in my life—my two grandmothers being first and foremost. I’ve written about them before, but they get a mention again today. When I was little, we lived closer to my dad’s parents, who were in upstate New York. Aliene was the zany grandma, and I loved going to spend time at their house (plus my sister wasn’t there so I got all the attention). I used to drop pennies down the register in the floor just for kicks—so then my grandfather would go clean them out when I wasn’t there. I danced in the sunbeams coming through the windows in the living room, not realizing that that foggy looking stuff was dust floating in them. I played with the cats, when they would tolerate me, and watched out the window at night when the possums came to eat the leftovers my grandmother left out for them. Adeline was the more serious, traditional grandmother. She told me after I had a baby at age 19 that men need a lot more reassurance than women. A surprising thing for her to say, but it is so true. It sticks with me because her telling me that made me feel like an adult and not a child. She yelled at us in a rare moment when the squabbling between my sister and I pushed her buttons. And she told us repeatedly that our mother was a much better mother than she had been. On her deathbed, my mom told her that she was a good mother. “Oh, shit” was her reply (and she never used profanity!). I used to send Mother’s Day cards to both my grandmothers, and I was so sad when they were not here any more to send those cards to. Adeline always sent me a card after I had my son, and every year I was so touched by that. Now I have found other mothers who add immeasurably to my life and to whom I send cards. I send one to my stepmom, and one to my neighbor who has been my friend for 20 years. I send one to my “Cincinnati Mom”, who says she would be proud to have me as a daughter and calls me one of the daughters she never had. We’ve been through thick and thin together. I sent one to my now ex-mother-in-law, because I miss her and she is my daughter’s grandmother. There are many more women in my life who are mothers, and whose friendship means more to me than words can express. I meant to send one to Jodi but didn’t get it in the mail in time (love u Wahooman, card or no card!). So this year I will celebrate with my mom and sister and nieces, and my daughter (my son lives 500 miles away). I will give thanks for another year together, another year that we all have been granted, another chance to send those cards and say the things that are important to say. I love you Mom, and all my “other moms”. Happy Mother’s Day.

Have a Happy Mother's Day...by Jodi

We are going to celebrate Mother's Day 2011 this year, Yahoo!

My own mother apologized to me for not sending me a card this year, I told her we didn't need cards to tell each other we were mothers, we would always be mothers! Lisa apologized that she didn't get a card in the mail and probably my own son won't even get me a card, I will still be a mother and it's fine with me not to get a card. Cards are overrated anyway, I would rather have a just because card for no reason at all, that is the kinda' girl I tend to be. I used to send cards but now I seldom wander into a card shop, they have gotten rather pricey and I tend to lose my patience for finding the perfect card anymore. My feelings are still there, they might even be deeper nowadays, I just don't send cards too much anymore.

Mothers come in many ways, shapes and forms for many people. I love my mom, she was my mom and that is what I think I love the most about her. My sisters are fabulous mothers. My niece and nephew are on opposite ends of the age spectrum but they are both awesome in their own right! My son is most awesome to me, of course! All of the women in my life are fabulous moms in their own right, everyone has a gift, everyone is fabulous in their own way.

Ever since I was a child, we never really went out for Mother's Day. I can go out any day of the year. I really like going to church on Mother's Day. One of my favorite years was the year I left my ex-husband and went back to the town I grew up in. My mother and I went to church together that year. We put a young Travis in childcare and attended the service, during it, the church elders prayed over the hands of each mother in the service that day, it was beautiful to me. It was so powerful to think of the hands of our mother, grandmother or whomever, holding your hand in joy or sorrow. Hands that care for those who are healthy by buttoning a coat on a chilly day to feeling the forehead to see if there was a fever. I will always remember that day, I loved it!

There are so many things to say about mothers. We can send cards, order flowers or candy or go out for a meal to celebrate the day. There are as many ways to celebrate as there are mothers in the world. It means something different to each person. I think the most important thing to do is call your mom to tell her you love and appreciate her. If she is close enough to visit, do so. If she has passed on, say a prayer and celebrate her in some way. Spend some time to celebrate her and the fact that she gave you life. It's all about her today! Make it a happy Mother's Day everyone!

Is It Wrong?....by Lisa

The news seemed to come out of nowhere, mired in Libya, $4.37/gallon gas, health care reform that no one agrees with, never-ending wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the list goes on. Suddenly, Osama bin Laden is dead, reportedly at the hands of American Navy Seals. Remember how we felt when we saw the Afghans celebrating in their streets when our Twin Towers were destroyed? That’s how our celebrations earlier this week must have looked.

I don’t like any of it. To me, all of this is a grotesque failure of diplomacy, and of human beings to understand each other. The math doesn’t work for me that the murder of one crazy old man, an act of retaliation against what he and his followers have done to us, is justice. The death of one man is payment for the loss of so many precious, innocent lives? I just don’t buy it. The means, being the cost in human lives and in dollars, is not justified by the end, the death of one cave-dwelling coward. Just because we said we would take him out doesn’t mean we should have. And the idea that the death of this one man will make a big difference in the “fight against terror” just doesn’t hit the mark for me. We’ve seen this over and over throughout history. These types always have a slew of understudies just waiting to step into the limelight. Extremism exists in many if not all religions, including Christianity, so don’t go getting all indignant. Are we any better than the terrorists if we hunt them and take them out? Does retaliation by violence and murder put an end to violence and murder? Already the news reports warn of the risk of retaliation. How ironic—our act of relatiation will be retaliated against. This is all so senseless. Why do we think it is easier, better, cheaper (?!) to wage violent acts of aggression than to sit at the bargaining table and develop an understanding of those who are not like us? Oh—I forgot. War is big business. Remember Dick Cheney and Halliburton? See Dick get rich on the backs of minority soldiers for whom the military is the best way out of poverty. Shameful!

What a sad state of affairs. We all have blood on our hands and I pray for the humility to ask God’s forgiveness. I wish that all of those who vote to wage war had to send their children to the battlefield—maybe they would give diplomacy another shot. (That’s a pun) I will end with this paragraph from a report on NPR’s website:

The Roman Catholic Church responded to the news of bin Laden's death with this statement: "Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace.”

The Age of Innocence....by Jodi

I saw it first on Facebook, on the United States of America page. I told Dan and he asked where I heard that. It is history. We watched the President announce it on the news. Osama bin Laden is dead. The 'mastermind' of 9/11, the individual responsible for the murders of many individuals, including 'his own kind'. They stormed his home, he tried to hide behind a woman, isn't that lovely? They stormed his compound and found Pepsi, Coca-Cola and tons of hair products. He called our lives extravagant but look at his. So much for living in a hole, he didn't live without convenience.

He's finally dead. Am I happy? I'm not feeling real bad here. He changed our world, not for the good. With him gone, is that the end of terrorism? No way, there will be someone to take his place or already is. With him gone, will the war end? Sadly, not anytime soon. We won the battle but certainly not the war. Will this war ever end? I have my doubts. Often times, I don't think this war will ever end. Will gas prices drop? I don't think that will happen anytime soon either.

Our illustrious President gets kudos for going after and being persistent in finding this man. He apparently has known bin Laden has been in that location since August of last year. He assigned the military to keep watchful eyes on it and strike at just the right time. There was the decision to invade the compound to bring back evidence that this man was guilty of the crimes that we say he was. I commend the team that went in and brought justice to so many. They gave closure to people, they thought they never would have, that closure means so much. I can't help but think of the words of Jesus, "It is finished." not because bin Laden was in any way like Christ but because this chapter is finished, it's done, now what?  

People want to see proof that Osama bin Laden is now dead. Obama says we will not release the graphic photographs. In my opinion, those photos will be leaked in some way, shape or form. What is the President hiding? Who knows, is he hiding anything? Do we really need to see the man dead? I don't really care to. I didn't lose anyone on 9/11, I wouldn't begin to answer for them. I do consider war equals death though, it's just how I am. 

Indians or excuse me, Native Americans, are angry because apparently this invasion was called, "Geranimo." There is a whole contention that Americans are biased and Native Americans are still considered second class citizens. Really? Do they really think anyone thought to kick them in the face and name this invasion after Indians? Can we please not continue to harbor negative feelings that are like 300 years old? Can we say that this invasion was given that name because Osama alluded capture like Geranimo did so long ago?

There are many thoughts and feelings brought to mind after this deadly chapter of history. America has a lot of tumultuous times in her past and yet to come, I am sure. We won't forget the day the world changed forever. We won't forget lives that have been lost and families that have been changed. We won't forget this day, I won't. It will be chalked in as historic and we will move on to the next thing. No matter how we feel about the things that have happened, I think we can agree on one thing, the world has been changed forever. Innocence is going to soon be a thing of the past, or is it already? 

What Health Means to Me....by Lisa

What does it mean to be in good health? I’m reminded of my grandmother, Adeline, and her focus on a healthy diet and exercise. I still have her old blue hardcover copy of Adele Davis’s Let’s Get Well, and I refer to it once in a while to see what vitamin is good for what ailment. As a pharmacist, of course I believe in using prescription drugs, but as Adeline’s granddaughter, I also believe in prevention of disease with a healthy diet and lifestyle. That said, I’m not a huge proponent of herbal medicines or vitamins. I think that if you eat a balanced diet, you should be getting what you need as far as vitamins. We all need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. I was surprised to learn from a friend that Weight Watchers allows unlimited fruits and vegetables—with the thought that people aren’t becoming overweight by eating just those types of foods. And on the subject of herbals, caution is warranted—just because they are natural does not mean they are safe. There is wide variation in how they are manufactured and their potency. So although in theory they are good for various ailments (such as St. John’s Wort for depression), they can have many drug interactions (St. John’s Wort is notorious for these) and they can be toxic. If you take any of these, make sure to share that information with your doctor, especially if you take any other prescription or OTC meds.

Anyway, back to my grandmother. We probably ate dinner at her house 3-4 times a week when I was growing up. The meals were always cooked from scratch, and we didn’t eat at restaurants much. She didn’t like us to have hot dogs or any kind of preserved meats, because they contained nitrites and preservatives that were unhealthy. She made vegetable salads with gelatin, the plain unflavored gelatin from the health food store—not Jello. Dessert to her was a homemade banana bread with golden raisins and walnuts, and it was made with wheat flour. There weren’t usually things like Oreo cookies or any kind of store-bought desserts. We also made our own salad dressings. I’m not complaining about any of this! She was a good cook and we learned to cook and to eat healthfully. My mom was strict about our diets too. She didn’t keep pop in the house, or chips of any kind, and we didn’t have sugary cereals (my children have grown up with all of those items in the house, although they also know how to cook and eat healthfully). We had wheat bread, not Wonder bread. I’m so thankful now that I learned these habits as a child, because I know that even when you want to make a positive change, it can be really difficult—our eating habits are so ingrained in us that they are hard to change. As far as exercise, my grandmother used to say that people wouldn’t need health clubs (before they were called “the gym”) if they would just do yard work. There is some truth to that. She did a hard day’s work even into her 60s, in between bouts of cancer. I’m sure that even at age 65, she could do a harder day’s physical work than I could have. Its ironic that she died young, at 68, from cancer. The one who was so health conscious had a 10-year battle with cancer. Its also ironic that my other grandparents both smoked from the time they were in their teens, and drank every day, and yet both lived into their 80s,  and in their own home, until just days before they died. Go figure. Good protoplasm, I guess. Now I bake my own bread every week, and try to get more fruits and vegetables and less carbs into my family’s diet. I walk every day at work with a friend, and I’m trying to increase my activity. I’ve never really liked exercise for exercise’s sake, and I always hated gym class in school (with a passion). I wasn’t an athlete but now I wish I had been. So in the name of good health, I think I’ll eat some salad, and contemplate learning indoor rock climbing, and I’ll dream about how cool it might be to row crew. To our good health!

Good Health....by Jodi

We all want to be healthy and not just a pack of skin and bones. At this point in time, and for most of my adult life I have been considered obese. Even for about the past few years, I have been in a size 14, I have still been considered obese. I have always gotten away with it, so to speak, I have always dated guys that were younger than me, I was 35 and dated 25 year olds, doesn't that count for something? Maybe I'm just immature? Marilyn Monroe was said to be a size 14, yet I am obese!

Since I am approaching my 50's, I am more concerned with my health. I am concerned with my blood pressure, more of my friends have knee surgery and wear those sleep apnea masks to bed. I hear people talk about Botox and Juvederm and women especially are thinking about or have gotten plastic surgery of some sort, whether it be fake breasts or their eyes 'done'. I think I have lived more of my life than I have left. Health is a concern for me. I know carrying extra weight is a negative thing and it concerns me. It concerns me like it never has before because I am there now.

In this society, we seem to question everything, should we smoke or not smoke? Drink alcohol or not drink alcohol? Eat organics or not eat organics? What about vitamins? Should we lift weights or walk? What are the right answers? I think we just have to do what is best for us and hope we don't get killed in a car wreck or plane crash! There seems to be data to support everything. One report says one thing and another report tells us something else. Stress also plays into it, can we handle it or can't we? Do we want to? It seems like we have to be able to handle a lot, eh? Yeah, so what else is new?

Some things can be environmental and some things tend to be genetics, it just boils down to what does good health mean to you? To me, good health means being able to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. It means living everything in moderation. I haven't been doing that, I have been living very large! I need to stop it now because it has gotten me nothing but trouble, in the form of diabetes, a couple of strokes and who knows what else is on my horizon? I am not even 50 yet and I have to deal with some major health issues, that are not so easy to turn around! All I can do right now is try to make changes and the correct decisions from here on in. I thought that I had awhile before I had to make choices but guess what? My decisions have come earlier than I planned!

Good health is my choice. It is not easy for me but I am going to go for it, what else do I have to do?