No, unfortunately, the swimmer on the sidebar is not me...

it's just a picture off the internet. I thought about having Dave come in and take a picture of me doing my laps but then I thought the other swimmers might think it a little strange. So instead, I found a picture that shows how I want to look - or how I might have looked three kids ago - or how I hope to look by this time next year; take your pick.

But, the good news is that last week, for the very first time ever, I swam a whole mile. That's 36 laps in the pool - or 72 lengths however you want to count. I think I actually did more than a mile because I lost track on my last set of five and I was going to be damn sure I did at least 36... I think it ended up more like 39.) All I know is I was absolutely beaming from head to [sore] toe. And I'm still so darn tired I haven't been back to lapswim since. Maybe tomorrow...

Heartfelt Presents

I've always hated the birthday present pressure, the Christmas present pressure, and the Valentine's Day present pressure. It's just so hard. Seriously, unless you read the book you purchased for your booklover friend, how do you actually know she'll love it? Who's to say that the little money ledger purchased at the Dime Store for a dollar is really perfect for a bookkeepr/business owner mom? We're taught that the thoughtful presents count the very most, but who doesn't actually want a new car with a big red ribbon around it for Christmas?

Yet, I think one of the very best presents I've received from Dave probably cost him less than $10. This particular present consisted of four uniball gel pens. Now this might not sound like a romantic gesture to you, but to a doctoral student writing her comps, it was absolutely perfect. It was so perfect in fact, that when the last one dried up a week ago I shed a tear.

I know, I know... you're saying "Get over it; go buy yourself a couple dozen pens already!" But the point is, Dave knew I really didn't need much at all, he knew where all my time and energy was being focused, and he put it all together. Who can't love a present like that?

So - what are some of your favorite, heartfelt presents? List them here - and maybe we'll turn the tide from the commercialism of all the celebrations to "thoughtful attention paying."

Foot Surgery

After two doctor appointments and an MRI, it was decided I'll have surgery on my second and third toes on my right foot on March 28. While he's taking care of the hammer toe issues, he'll also be on the lookout for a neuroma (which doesn't necessarily show up even on an MRI). It's a same day operation and a 3-4 week recovery period during which time I'll be on crutches without any weight on my foot. I don't think it's really hit me yet, but all in all I'm happy with the decision - it could mean that sometime in the future I'll be walking around without any foot pain, and that would be a first for about ten years.

Last week I decided that I'd go crazy with exercise - doing whatever the heck I wanted since the end of pain is near. That wasn't such a good idea - after spending an hour a day for three days on cross country skis I was in serious gimp mode. So, it's been back to swimming and swimming only. I'll save the skiing for the weekends and then only do it once instead of three consecutive days. Let's just say "I learned my lesson."

What to do with all this snow?

If you're not from North Dakota, you might not understand how much fun snow can actually be. Actually, this winter has been unusually mild for us too. But in the past few days we've gotten lots of snow and have had the opportunity to experience winter at its best. All that's missing are skating, sledding, snowman making, snowball fighting, and fort building. For those of you without the luck of having snow around, enjoy the pics and "think white."