Grr, this is frustrating!

I hate when I spend time writing, and then for whatever reason, the post disappears! I'm not going to recreate the whole posting, I'll just summarize it. I've come to the last section of questions for week 1, the personal ones. Am ihappy, have good relationships, have a spiritual life, spend time with nature?

For the most part, yes to all- well not much of a spiritual life, but I try to be grateful for all the good things in my life. I have finally moved beyond the grief that I felt mired in during the years right after my parents death. Not that I don't still miss them, but I have developed a sense of peace about it.

So my goals for this year is to try and develop more friendships, get back to an exercise routine, and eat better. And enjoy my life with John even more.

Week 1: con't

Lifestyle questions:
Healthy diet? Not nearly enough fruits and veggies, way too much refined foods
Caffeine intact? Some chocolate, 1 coffee everyday
Smoker or use recreational drugs? Never
Alcohol? Occasionally with meals
Physical activity: embarassing little
Why? No good answer, but my exercise bike dying is a little to blame
How well do you sleep? Sometimes, fine. Other times, I have a great deal of trouble sleeping through the night
Rate your stress from 1-5: 2
How does stress affect you: get irratible
Manage it? Try not to stress out
What is the main source of stress in my life? Work, school
How do you relax? Soak in a tub, read a book
What do you do for fun? Read a book, spend time with family/spouse
Enjoy your work? Usually

Spontaneous Happiness: Week 1

A few months ago, I won the book Spontaneous Happiness, by Andrew Weil, from Goodreads. I've decided to try the 8 week program it describes.

Week 1 begins with some assessments.
Any illnesses? GERD
Any worrisome symptoms? No
Medications? Omeprazole
Supplements? None
Last physical w/bloodworm? Within last year? No concerns
Illnesses in my family? My oldest sister had a heart attack at the age of 60
Rate your own health from 1-10: 9

Emotional health questions:
Ever diagnosed with mood disorder ? No
Consulted a mental health professional? No
Depression or anxiety? No diagnosed cases
Pessimist or optimist? Tend toward optimism
Emotional state 1-10: 8
What would make me happier? Nothing I can think of
Recover quickly from emotional setbacks? I'm a survivor
Do I experience serenity in my life? How often am I content and/or comfortable? Most of the time, as a rule. I am grateful for my family, friends and life in general. I have a good marriage and a rewarding job.

2011 the year in review

Notes: January:
took aeddon to Rmsc to see the csi exhibit for his birthday
Together we made a chocolate roulade cake
Stopped at marine oasis to buy stuff for the SW aquarium John had gotten me for Christmas
Throughout the year we enjoyed the tank in ILL
Red skunk cleaner shrimp named Shorty, 2 peppermint shrimp named Candy and Tea, who disappeared after a few months, clown fish named Verne, brittle starfish named Jules, blood red shrimp named Phobos.
Aquarium stayed in ILL until shortly after I started my new job, some time around October.
We brought it home and added the fish to our 55 gallon aquarium that we bought off Craigslist in feb for $300, including the buffet.
Also in January, I started my MBA through SUNYIT. Took classes in project management and business law. Never had a free minute, or so it seemed. Still, I decided to matriculated, and took my GMAT in August. Not in time to actually enroll for fall, but that turned out to be okay, since I started a new job in late summer. As an end of semester reward, we went to see wicked at Shea's in buffalo. Bob sold his house in brockport to the college, and during the summer they moved to buffalo.
Corey came out in April and did some work on the bathroom for us. Also out in July for a visit. Then we made a quick weekend visit July 21-25, for his 30th birthday party. 30, how is that even possible? Alden went with us, and we got to spend some time with Matt, too. His job in Indy will be ending soon, and he has interviewed back at the bank in Honolulu for a supervisor position. He takes it, and comes out for a week to NY before flying to HI. In August we go to NE PA to a VRBO, a little cottage located on a gentleman farm. Visit Longwood Gardens, and Hershey Park. Nice relaxing week away. On the work front: Laura's mother suffers a TIA in march and she is out much of the month. In July, bepress comes and gives a presentation on their IR product called Digital Commons. A few of us see it advertised in the Daily Eagle, and Greg, Lori and I attend. I am fascinated by the possibilities, and ask lots of questions. A few weeks later, when it is decided that we will purchase it, they decide to offer me the opportunity to work on it. I jump at the chance, and it works out that Logan and I essentially switch offices, and he takes over ILL,something he has wanted to do for a few years now. Laura starts investigating retirement shortly afterwards.

New iPad2 and shopping with 2 and 3

I love my new iPad2. Never thought I would be an Apple person, but it just shows that I let myself be overly influenced by John for too many years. Christmas is in a week, and John and I decided today would be a good day to start shopping. We are buying the gboys hiking boots, pocket kniVes and flint this year to take with them on their winter camping trip next weekend. We were able to find boots for A1 and A4 online, but not for the other two, so we took them with us to Rochester. In Target, we found their boots, and socks, boxers, 2shirts and 3 pairs of jeans for Brandon. Then Alden and I went to Sears where we found 4 flannel shirts for John. After a stop at Verizon to activate a phone for Tom, we had lunch at our favorite Chinese place in the Sam's Club plaza. Now we just have to get a movie gift certificate for Adrienne and Wayne and do our amazon shopping for the out of staters, and we will be mostly done.