It’s almost the middle of February and I’m proud of myself because I’m doing fine without Debbie, my assistant. Deb’s enjoying living and working outdoors in a park in Tampa, Florida. She’ll be there all winter. (Her multiple chemical sensitivities made living in Wisconsin in the winter very difficult. Being cooped up with doors and windows closed made her sick most of last winter.)

I just thank God that I’m independent in the office and in the bathroom so the need to have someone here in the house with me is not as necessary as it was. (For more than 20 years, if someone wasn't in the house with me, I'd have to be in bed to "quell the urges.")

It’s kind of nice to have the silence.  Now all I need to do is to calm all the chattering going on in my head – don’t forget to call… did you send out that donation…remember, that article is due…what will we have for dinner…where did I put those… order your prescriptions…whose call didn't I return yesterday…how much is the postage on a postcard…and on and on and on!

Thank goodness for computers and being able to use them as a communication tool; it's easy to "write" my articles, correspondence, and my blog entries. Computers have been my lifeline to the world! I'm glad I pushed myself to learn how to use the technology.

Debbie, I miss you! But I'm glad we're both OK with trying new ways of taking care of ourselves while living with chronic conditions. Good for you, Shelley and Debbie!!!  Good job!!!