I've been incredibly busy for the past couple months - and I've missed my Spark People!

In that time, I have:
- Had several days from work due to aches, pains, arthritis, "general blahs"
- Been observed in the classroom more than 20 times since October
- Been prescribed an antidepressant, and even had the dosage increased
- Almost resigned (more than once) from the inner-city urban school where I teach

However, if I stay to the end of the year, I'm eligible for a salary buy-out which will be spread out over the next several years, like an annuity - this doesn't come from my retirement fund, and I'm free to seek employment elsewhere. (Keep the gold watch, just show me the door.)

With that type of stress, it finally happened -- after more than a year and a half of no alcohol, I found myself enjoying (?) some beer. Two years ago, I had a drinking problem with wine -- so I'm more than a little afraid of having wine again, and I am definitely avoiding hard liquor; but the beer seemed "OK".

It wasn't. But after one binge, my wife and I went to a counseling session together, and I have to admit very simply -- this is not anything I want or need right now. So, with thanks that it was just a simple binge and not a major upset, I feel that I've gotten it "out of my system" and am going back to a healthier attitude -- and abstinence.

My birthday is coming up soon, and my birthday present to myself (and the family) will be a family membership at the YMCA again -- so we can get back to using the gym and the pool, and having nights out as a family and getting active again. I also will be doing more of the cooking (Deb is a good cook, but with a limited repertoire - I'll be using SparkPeople recipes for much of what we do), and trying to get back to a healthy life -- and we'll see what employment I have next year! (Seems this happens every May/June, but this time, I have the opportunity to finally LEAVE this school district, not just shuffle between buildings.)

Rejoice with me! Life is an adventure, and the roller coaster is climbing the next hill already!

Your pal / brother / whatever,

Larry (LarSil)