tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita/13 2008-07-27T04:25:53Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1027 2008-07-26T17:54:55Z 2008-07-27T04:25:53Z

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Cousin Marilyn, Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair; Cousin James Chairperson, DFST Family Reunion; and me, Asst. Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair. Choose To Mover Kathleen volunteered at the American Heart Association Booth. Kathleen shared information on the Choose To Move Program, Power To End Stroke, Go Red For Women, and Advocacy Plus-You're The Cure. The Demery-Farley-Syas-Taylor (DFST) Family Reunion Health & Wellness Fair was held in Houston, Texas, at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel on Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10am-4pm. Los Angeles DFST Cousins will host the next reunion in 2010. The following screenings were available at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair: * Blood Pressure * Body Mass Index (BMI) * Blood Glucose/Blood Sugar * Blood Cholesterol * Vision * Foot Approximately 1 out of every 3 health & wellness fair participants received ALL of the screenings offered at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair. DFST Health & Wellness Fair Sponsors and Volunteers were: LifeScan, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Co.–AALC Group American Heart Association John B. Coleman Health Sciences College – Nursing Program University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Louisiana Public Health Institute – Steps Program CVS Pharmacy – Pharmacy Intern Program Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Society Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Prairie View A&M – Nursing Program American Diabetes Association Prevent Blindness of America United Supermarkets.]]> South Central Affiliate-Houston/Gulf Coast Region American Heart Association office, delivered some AHA materials for the health fair. Picture c - Chardria set up the AHA Display Board with information describing several AHA Programs. Picture d - Door prizes were donated by several of our sponsors. Dr. Jennifer Mieres, consulting physician for Choose To Move, donated several autographed copies of her book, Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas. Picture e - These nursing and health sciences students from local colleges and universities who volunteered at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair informed me that they Choose To Move. Pictured left to right are: Dinorah, me, Deneca, and Karoll. Picture f - Cousin Marilyn and I are pictured with Davonna, Houston Hilton Post Oak Hotel Sr. Special Events Manager. Picture g - My nine (9) year old cousin, Gabriel, joined me in the hotel gym on the morning following the health & wellness fair. Gabriel is wearing his Treat You Right-Walk More, Eat Better tee shirt that he received at the health fair. The tee shirts were donated by Steps To A Healthier Louisiana. Louisiana is home to many of the Demery, Farley, Syas, and Taylor family members and ancestors. Picture h - I returned the AHA display board on the morning following the health fair. Atty. Pamela Crawford, AHA Director of Advocacy, and I are pictured in front of the South Central Affiliate-Houston/Gulf Coast Region American Heart Association office. Pamela’s mother-in-law, Betty, and my Aunt Annie Bell were roommates at Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Isn’t it a small world? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1026 2008-07-16T11:58:46Z 2008-07-16T13:59:02Z

...like the summer do? On July 6th, I celebrated my 40th birthday--yeah, I'm 20 again. Or is it 30? I have been working in New Orleans this summer and have been very sporadic with consistent exercise and heart-health eating. New...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita On July 6th, I celebrated my 40th birthday--yeah, I'm 20 again. Or is it 30? I have been working in New Orleans this summer and have been very sporadic with consistent exercise and heart-health eating. New Orleans is still recovering from the vices of the hurricanes and the levee; however, progress is being made. And the food...the food is still unbelievably the BEST! It's a challenge that I welcome, though. I can put the tools that I have gained since I began Choose To Move to the test...and even with my not-so-routine exercise schedule, I have still been able to maintain. The picture below was taken on my birthday at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association booth at the Essence Festival. From L to R: Rosda, Echelle, me, and Mia. Today I am headed to the Demery-Farley-Syas-Taylor (DFST) Family Reunion in Houston, Texas. Tomorrow I will be assisting Cousin Marilyn with coordinating the DFST Health & Wellness Fair and Choose To Mover Kathleen will also be on hand to help with the fair. Family members will have the opportunity to get their blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol checked. I hope to squeeze in some time and take advantage of the health screenings and educational health information being provided. I have met many people who are afraid of getting screened. I think of screenings as paying my electric bill before the electricity gets cut off! You can download a Free Family Reunion Toolkit from the American Heart Association website. View More Pictures From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association booth at the Essence Festival. ]]> American Stroke Association - Power To End Stroke, Dallas, Texas, trained and assisted the volunteers at the booth. picture a - When festival attendees arrived at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association booth they were met by Patricia (an American Stroke Association Ambassador and Management Coordinator for the Stroke Program at Inova Health System in Virginia). Patricia shared information about the causes, risks, and indicators of stroke. picture b - Attendees would then move to the Spin the Wheel area where they could get a chance at winning a free Soul Food Cookbook, t-shirt, Power To End Stroke pin, or a bookmarker. picture c - At the next stop, pictures were taken of the festival participants. picture d - And finally, the participant's picture was placed on the "My Health Family Tree" poster. Attendees were encouraged to complete their family health tree (genealogy) poster. a) b) c) d) NOTE: In response to Shary (May 15 comment) - here is a link to a previous discussion on HOW TO SET GOALS. ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1024 2008-04-05T20:04:01Z 2008-04-06T02:54:35Z

I visited my Cousins Kenneth and Joyce in Albany, NY for a couple of days while enroute to New York City. Cousin Joyce picked me up from the train station and we went straight to her jazzercise class. Cousin Joyce,...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita jazzercise class. Cousin Joyce, who will be 60 this year, is wearing the blue warm-up pants. It finally happened…I hit the Relapse Stage. In other words, I traded my sports car in for a stage coach, and oh what a ride…]]> no joking matter that I have gone from 195 to 215 pounds since Christmas. In March alone I went to Chicago, Albany, NY, and New York City on two separate occasions; needless to say my focus on my goal of “Bringing Health Back Into My Life” was very much interrupted. When I returned from NYC last Saturday I "recommitted" myself to my goal, “reintroduced” my taste buds to heart-healthy foods, and “reconnected” my body with physical activitiy - tools that have proven to be successful since I began this trip. Am I disappointed that I got lost during my journey? Of course I am. But I know that I am no where, and I mean NO WHERE near where I was last year at this time and that gives me HOPE. All is not yet lost!!! I am down two pounds and embrace the power that I will encounter over the next few months as I “save up” to purchase a brand new sports car to "sport" as I journey toward “Bringing Health Back Into My Life”. Thank you Family, Friends, and the C2M Community for being such a Strong Support System! ~ Vernita Lessons learned/relearned over the past few months’ experiences: 1. It’s easy to lose sight of your goals. 2. When one area in your life weakens (or gets chaotic), other areas follow suit. 3. Change doesn’t happen over night, although sometimes it seems like they do. Change takes TIME. 4. It’s not the destination that is important; it’s all about the journey, so enjoy the ride. 5. There's no time like the present. To begin is a beginning. 6. It could have been worse. 7. The mind is powerful … when you make up your mind. 8. This journey is about process, not product (thanks MH). 9. A trial is just a testimony waiting to be shared! 10. *** When leaving familiar surroundings for an extended period of time (i.e. going away from home), there must EQUALLY be physical preparations AND strategic mental planning in order to successfully stay on course. 11. …and so on, and so on, and so on… Pictures from the trips... (1) The New York State Capitol Building in Albany, the Capital. (2) The Egg in Albany. (3) Times Square in New York City. Remember when? (4) Times Square in New York City. (5) A visit at the American Heart Association office in New York City. (6) and (7) Pictures taken from the train...possibily somewhere in West Virginia. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) and (7) ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1022 2008-03-05T03:56:56Z 2008-03-05T21:32:42Z

The year has certainly flown by. I "celebrated" our one year anniversary on Friday, February 29, at the Go Red For Women Luncheon in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. l to r, Sophie Pachella, Dr. Jennifer Mieres,...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Go Red For Women Luncheon in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. l to r, Sophie Pachella, Dr. Jennifer Mieres, and me. During a pre-session educational workshop sponsored by Merck entitled, "Get Your Engine Going--Choose to Move", Dr. Jennifer Mieres, co-author of Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas, presented a historical overview on the impact of the Go Red For Women campaign, Sophie Pachella, founder of EatStrong, offered nutritional advice on foods that compliment the body, and I shared my Choose To Move journey. At the luncheon, Yvette Fields, a heart disease survivor, told "her story" about suffering from a stroke at the early age of 42 in addition to being diagnosed with diabetes at 21. The National Sponsors of the event were Merck and Macy's and the Local Sponsor was NYU Cardiac & Vascular Institute. More pics follow...]]> I feel truly blessed to be able to share my heart-health challenges and successes with others. Martha Stewart received the2008 Woman With Heart Award. Dr. Maryann McLaughlin, a cardiologist from Mount Sinai Medical Center, presented the award. Looks are not deceiving here - the food was very tasty. RED is in. Comedian Judy Gold shared her family history of heart disease. Tim Gunn of Project Runway was "styled" at the luncheon. Angie (on the left) coordinated the day's events and Amy was one of the many hard working volunteers who helped make it all happen. ~ Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1020 2008-02-18T02:00:41Z 2008-02-18T03:05:50Z

Jennifer is the AHA Marketing Director in Cedar Rapids and Lyn is an AHA Volunteer. One of the events planned by the American Heart Association (Cedar Rapids, IA Branch) in celebration of Heart Month was the Go Red For Women...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Jennifer is the AHA Marketing Director in Cedar Rapids and Lyn is an AHA Volunteer. One of the events planned by the American Heart Association (Cedar Rapids, IA Branch) in celebration of Heart Month was the Go Red For Women - Heart Health Day which was held on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The events for the day included free health screenings, heart-health informational booths, free CPR Anytime Training Sessions provided by CR Heart, Go Red For Women registration, and Go Red Survivor Fashion Show. In the picture on the left I am administering CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to my inflatable CPR manikin, “Mini Anne.” Each participant received a free Family & Friends CPR Anytime Kit. The CPR Anytime Training Sessions were provided by CR Heart. Click here to find Heart Month and Go Red For Women events in your area. ~ Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2008:/vernita//13.1018 2008-01-19T16:29:29Z 2008-01-19T18:55:16Z

Negative seven degrees (-7)...this morning’s temperature when I went to the gym. My original plan was to workout at home but I needed a serious “pick me up” to get me back on track. You see, I just returned from...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Negative seven degrees (-7)...this morning’s temperature when I went to the gym. My original plan was to workout at home but I needed a serious “pick me up” to get me back on track. You see, I just returned from my 4 week fall semester break visiting my family and friends in Louisiana. This blog is appropriately named “Sliding Scale” because my weight “shifted” from... ]]> 195-205 while I was in Louisiana. I did exercise while on vacation; however, the intensity and frequency was nowhere near the level it was prior to going on vacation. I could have, no I should have made better food choices while I was in Louisiana (I had it all…boudin, meat pies, and fried catfish more than once per week) but that temporary “fix” is my past. I decided to wear my “CELEBRATE – Change tomorrow. Today.” t-shirt to the gym this morning because I celebrate the fact that I am “back on the road again” on my journey to “Bringing Healthy Back In My Life” by "Choosing To Move"! This picture was taken in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana on Sunday, January 13, 2008. The temperature was in the 50's. ~ Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1015 2007-12-25T19:50:32Z 2007-12-25T21:04:00Z

Enjoy your family and friends and stay motivated to EXERCISE a heart-healthy lifestyle. I'm in Natchitoches, Louisiana, visiting my parents and what to my wondering eyes did appear upon my arrival but a basket full of fruit -n- nuts, and...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita EXERCISE a heart-healthy lifestyle. I'm in Natchitoches, Louisiana, visiting my parents and what to my wondering eyes did appear upon my arrival but a basket full of fruit -n- nuts, and a scattering of peppermints. I pray that you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and Healthy New Year! ~Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1014 2007-12-10T04:23:29Z 2007-12-10T19:25:09Z

Pictured left to right are: Health Iowa employees, Kathy and Amy, and the DDC Walking Team (Marsha, Margaret, Tina, and Vernita). Monique, DDC satellite team member, is not pictured. On Monday, December 3, 2007, the DDC Walking Team met with...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Pictured left to right are: Health Iowa employees, Kathy and Amy, and the DDC Walking Team (Marsha, Margaret, Tina, and Vernita). Monique, DDC satellite team member, is not pictured. On Monday, December 3, 2007, the DDC Walking Team met with Amy, ACSM-certified Fitness Specialist, and Kathy, Registered and Licensed Dietitian. In the workshop Amy and Kathy discussed the benefits of sustaining a physical activity program and maintaining healthy eating habits. The information that we "walked" away with was so invaluable that the DDC Walking Team collectively put together the following list of tips that we found to be most helpful in hopes that you will also experience positive benefits: ]]> * It was encouraging to hear the same thing reinforced - good health takes a holistic and lifestyle approach - that is, exercise and a good daily diet become a way of life rather than a once-in-a-while binge. * The types of fat differences (saturated fat, trans fat, etc.) and how they affect one's health. * "Track" or document your activity and eating habits (i.e. minutes of activity a day and/or week) on your desk calendar. * The stages of motivational readiness to change. * In terms of nutrition, Rice Dream Milk counts the same as regular milk, that is, it has the same amount of calcium and vitamin D as milk. It's protein content is lower, 2 g per cup vs. 8 g per cup of milk and It's calorie content is similar to 2% milk but the fat content is lower. The Rice Dream has more carbohydrates than milk. For those of us who are lactose intolerant, that is very important to know! * There is no quick fix. Know your nutritional content, schedule in your physical activity, and apply the tools given to you in order to meet your goals. * The difference in the % of fat in milk (1% vs 2% vs skim vs reduced fat). * To maintain an on-going commitment, use positive rewards and be creative in rewarding yourself, as a motivational tool. These rewards can come from you or from others. Don't allow the reward to be food. * Desk stretches handout. * Place money in a jar each time you DON'T workout on a scheduled day. I don't think we should have to pay on the days we don't have it scheduled into our routine. Then the reward can be using the money for something once a month, or when you hit a goal. * Write specific goals and track progress toward these goals. * Though we may be disappointed in ourselves when we slack off at times we need to always look at what we have accomplished and feel good about that. * You can get a personalized food pyramid plan that is based on your age, gender, and weight. * Support and verbally encourage your team members – we can all use a hand at times. ~Vernita and Marsha and Margaret and Tina]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1010 2007-11-21T13:55:59Z 2007-11-21T15:12:19Z

There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come from "A Change Is Gonna Come"...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come from "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke Time and patience ...patience and time…by putting into practice discipline, perseverance, consistency, and a positive attitude, a change will eventually come. One of my personal goals has finally been realized. For over fifteen years I have wanted to get certified to teach a water-focused exercise class and on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, I successfully completed the requirements for obtaining my certification as an Aquatics Leader through the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP). I am slowly checking off those written goals that I set for myself back in 1990. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE! Me and Carol, my AFAP mentor. (This picture was taken following the last required class I had to teach to obtain AFAP Certification.) ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1009 2007-11-11T03:00:04Z 2007-11-11T03:29:35Z

THEN (Feb/March 2007) & NOW (November 9, 2007) As the time for holiday feasts quickly approaches, we all need to PLAN & PRIORITIZE our strategy. Let's try incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise into our schedule most days of...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita THEN (Feb/March 2007) & NOW (November 9, 2007) As the time for holiday feasts quickly approaches, we all need to PLAN & PRIORITIZE our strategy. Let's try incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise into our schedule most days of the week. NO EXCUSES, Please (remember, you're preaching to the choir here...been there-done that-and still doing it at times...so NO EXCUSES). Choose To Move For You! ~Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1006 2007-10-26T18:52:17Z 2007-10-29T15:09:37Z

I have slowed down a bit on my journey and am in need of some refueling so I decided to ask some friends who are health/physical exercise enthusiasts about ways to rejuvenate my motivation. Everyone overwhelmingly agrees that I need...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1002 2007-10-16T16:10:17Z 2007-10-16T16:13:59Z

I cannot stress how helpful family and friends have been to me on this journey in helping me to stay motivated and focused. When I find myself falling asleep at the wheel and swirving toward the median, my family and...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita how helpful family and friends have been to me on this journey in helping me to stay motivated and focused. When I find myself falling asleep at the wheel and swirving toward the median, my family and friends, in the form of angels, knudge me out of my slumber allowing me to quickly manuever the vehicle back on the road toward my destination. Meet Warren Meet Margaret, Tina, and Marsha ~Vernita]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1004 2007-10-15T23:46:36Z 2007-10-18T05:38:15Z

The DDC Walking Team l to r, Vernita, Margaret, Tina, and Marsha This week marks the one month anniversary that the DDC (Decided, Determined, and Committed) Walking Team has been actively engaged in Choosing to Move for 30 minutes during...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita The DDC Walking Team l to r, Vernita, Margaret, Tina, and Marsha This week marks the one month anniversary that the DDC (Decided, Determined, and Committed) Walking Team has been actively engaged in Choosing to Move for 30 minutes during the lunchtime hour, three to four days a week. After we began walking as a team I asked Margaret, Tina, and Marsha what name should we give to ourselves and Marsha came up with the name Decided, Determined, and Committed. She said that they were lyrics in Smokie Norful's song, "Run 'til I'm Finished," and was appropriate for our group name and the lives of the participants in our group. While planning this blog, I asked the DDCs to reply to two questions: 1) Why are you walking/exercising? 2) What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move? Their responses follow… ]]> Margaret’s reply: Q. Why are you walking/exercising? A. I want to be healthy; I want to look good and feel good; and I enjoy the company a lot!! Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move A. I want to lose 5% of my current weight in six months and lose about 4 inches around my waist. Also, I would like to reduce the risk of hypertension and other illnesses related to lack of exercise and stay healthy as I age. Tina’s reply: Q. Why are you walking/exercising? A. I want the "outside me" to reflect the healthy, vibrant, and empowered "inside me"! Exercising with this group of supportive women is a wonderful and exciting way to achieve this goal! Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move A. I know I will have reached my goals when I am happy, fit, comfortable in my clothes and able to show the world who I really am. Marsha’s reply: Q. Why are you walking/exercising? A. Overall, to have a healthier lifestyle. I'm working on mind, body, and spirit in my life, and walking with DDC and exercising with my family, or on my own, is helping me to holistically improve in all of these areas. Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move A. I want to: (1) get off of my blood pressure medication! (too young to be starting that stuff : ) (2) have a better mental and spiritual as well as physical outlook on my life (which has been working already : ) and (3) have a leaner and firmer body (not necessarily loose pounds, but it would be nice to shed at least 10-15 lbs : ) While on our walk today I asked the team if they had taken any "before" pictures so that they can have a pictoral record of their progress. "Before," "during," and "after" pictures can help provide some motivation for working toward and maintaining your goals. A Picture IS Worth 1,000,000 Words. "Before" taken in December 2006, and "during" taken on October 14, 2007. ~Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.1003 2007-10-15T23:44:57Z 2007-10-16T16:10:11Z

I met Warren at the gym when I began Choose To Move in March 2007. Warren retired a few years ago but agreed to work part-time at the gym during the a.m. hours for the semester. Following my workouts...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita I met Warren at the gym when I began Choose To Move in March 2007. Warren retired a few years ago but agreed to work part-time at the gym during the a.m. hours for the semester. Following my workouts we would often chat about the challenges and benefits of exercise, eating heart-healthy foods, and current events. At the end of the semester when Warren informed me that he would not be working at the gym during the summer months (and the Fall semester) but would be fishing in Lake Michigan (as he does every summer) I couldn't help but to ask him if he ever caught any salmon during his fishing escapades. He told me that he always caught a "boat load" of salmon. How do you think I responded to his reply? What do you think was my next question? Bullseye! Enroute from Michigan while heading to visit his son and daughter in Colorado, Warren stopped in Iowa and surprised me with some salmon. I even took a picture of the King Salmon that Warren caught in Lake Michigan near the city of Manistee, MI. ~Vernita ]]> tag:choosetomoveblog.com,2007:/vernita//13.999 2007-10-06T00:46:48Z 2007-10-06T17:55:13Z

Surrounding myself with a Solid Support System, eating Heart-healthy foods, Choosing To Move, Getting Back Up after I Fall, and maintaining Focus and Consistency have all played key roles in this journey. October 5, 2007 - 197.6 lbs March 5,...

Vernita http://choosetomoveblog.com/vernita Solid Support System, eating Heart-healthy foods, Choosing To Move, Getting Back Up after I Fall, and maintaining Focus and Consistency have all played key roles in this journey. October 5, 2007 - 197.6 lbs March 5, 2007 - 250 lbs Since the beginning of my journey 7 months ago and not less than 90% of the time, I have been in the company of Genevieve and Albert during my 6:00 A.M. workout at the gym. ]]> has been incorporating exercise into her busy schedule as long as she can remember. When asked how she would cope if exercise was taken away from her, Genevieve responded that she would be lost and added that exercise was a part of who she is. Genevieve rotates her cardio activity on a daily basis – treadmill on one day, then stair climber the next day, and finally the elliptical glider. In the evenings Genevieve takes Yoga classes at one of the local studios. Albert is a dental student and because of his busy schedule can only fit in 30 minutes at the gym. Before Choose To Move I would have thought that it’s not worth my time going to the gym for a mere 30 minutes. But now I see the world through different spectacles. 30 minutes is 30 minutes and fitting in 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week has a multitude of benefits. Albert began regularly working out during his undergraduate years; he said that exercise is a great stress reliever and has become part of his life balance. Albert rides his bicycle to the gym (cardio) and focuses on weight training and abdominal exercises during his 30 minutes. 197.6 lbs registered on the scale at the doctor’s office today; my BMI was 34.14 and BP was 118/80. I am officially one hundred and something pounds again. It has been about 8 years, give or take a couple, since I have been one hundred and something. We have been Choosing To Move for 7 months; oh where has the time gone? ~Vernita ]]>