Oprah's Forgiveness Quote

"Forgiveness - giving up the hope that the past could have been any different."


Not a complete definition of forgiveness, but a thought-provoking way to look at it. Thanks Milissa/Oprah.

Keeping Busy

Yep, between my part-time job, going to chiro appts, working on stuff for my sister's wedding, going to gym,  doing a little gardening, reading for school (in advance of next semester) and spending time with friends, I've been keeping busy. My back has been doing much better these past few weeks, with ups/downs. My chiropractor is currently out of the country so I am "going without" for the next week and hope that I don't do anything stupid to it in the interim. Once in a while I'll feel a twinge, but all in all, much better.

Still trying to arrange for a visit to a local prison this summer (did I mention this before?) where I can see first hand how healthcare works in the prison. I've been in touch with a doctor who works a lot of hours there in the summer, but nothing has materialized yet. I'm patient, but my summer is zooming away quickly.

I had hoped to do some furniture refinishing this summer, but that's been put on hold because of my back. Definitely not important enough to risk muscle spasms.

One of my nursing school friends has invited me and the other woman in our summer study group to go to the beach in NC for a few days over the weekend after July 4 and stay at her dad's beach house. Would be really nice to get away - and there would be less expenses without having to pay for place to stay. Gas and food mainly.  I'd have to give up a week of my part-time job (she's flexible) and would need to consider how it would impact wedding planning as invites will probably need to be mailed out a few days after I'd get back. Hopefully it will all work out.

Well, that's all for now... gonna head to the gym.

It's a Good Thing

Today I met with my physician for a follow up appt (from before Haiti trip) and asked if she'd give me a referral to our local ACAC's PREP program (Physician Referred Exercise Program) in light of my concerns about starting back into an exercise regime with my present back issues. She said she thought it was a great idea!  (I will admit that when I started seeing commercials for this program a few years ago...I thought it was primarily for old people or with people who were recovering from heart attacks or dealing with diabetes). 

So with the PREP program I'll get 60 days of full membership at this gym including meeting 2x/week with their medical staff (or that's how I understand it) for $60 total. I'll have full membership and will have access to classes, pool, basketball courts (!), etc... outside of times with the medical staff. Normally I would never be able to afford their monthly fee (over $80/month), so this is really ideal. Once my 60 days are over, I will just take what I've learned and transfer it over to the fitness rooms on campus (no pool or classes--but FREE).  This might be the best $60 I'll spend this summer... oh wait...that prescription of muscle relaxants was an awfully good purchase too... Okay, so this will be the best $60 investment! 

I'm excited about this. I think the accountability with my physician and the PREP team will be a good thing. And while I prefer running outdoors, it's hard to stay motivated when starting back running --while facing the three H's (heat, humidity and hills), so I'm looking forward to use of the treadmills for my interval training.

With this added commitment I totally need to sit down and make a realistic weekly schedule that includes the gym, chiro appts, school time, wedding planning, part-time job, plus the FUN stuff I'm supposed to be doing this summer too. =)

Later Taters...