@mac11,
Just saw this...
Hope you recover soon, mac.
As 2008 comes to an end I came back to look at my goals for 2008. It's a difficult thing to do. I was once very active but I didn't come close to completing my goals this year. I started regular chiropractic treatments for back spasms earlier this year and have recently been told to consider purchasing a single-story house or joint-replacement surgery for both knees. I'll need to do the knees eventually but the life expectancy of artificial knees is still only 10-15 years and it isn't a surgery I want to have more than once. We'll be looking to relocate once M is in school in another couple years so I'll try to hang in there in my multi-level house until then. I can no longer climb stairs without a handrail to pull myself up with. Nor can I drive Mr B's car with it's manual transmission -- too much stress on my knees to use the clutch.
My chronic back spasms are related to my bad knees. I don't walk right and I put too much emphasis on my hips and back to support my legs. I also sit too much (also a function of my knees) and have gained five pounds this year from lack of exercise and too much sitting. I still do upper-body strength training and occasionally push myself to walk but the walks are becoming less and less often. Oh well....
Heartfelt kudos to all who have done so much this year. Keep up the great work and may you all have an active, healthy 2009.