I', in pain - back pain

I feel like crap today. Yesterday as I was getting dressed, I felt this huge pain sweep across the left part of my back and I knew then that the day effectively ended. I really shouldn't be at the PC but whatever position I am in at the moment, I am in pain, so what the heck.At least it's not so bad today.

Yesterday was my son's 18th birthday and today is my youngest daughter's 16th birthday. Bad planning eh! Shouldn't have been, Alan wasn't due until 9th September and Emily was due on 21st August.

Haven't actually bought Alan's present yet as it's kind of large and expensive... a used car. We have a limit on the price, so it will be old and with lots of mileage on it. With the new emissions test, it might be hard to find one that will fit the bill. Unfortunately, we have no option as there is no public transport in this area despite being only 11 miles from the centre of Austin. Waiting until he is 18, is kinda of strange here as it is. Emily has a friend who turns 16 on Monday and she has been driving for the pass year. From Monday, she will be able to drive on her own and will have her own car. No wonder the roads over here are so dangerous.

I was 31 before I felt the need to drive, up until then I used my feet and buses. How I miss the buses, a much more relaxing way to travel. When I worked in London, I lived on the outskirts where I had the option of taking a crowded train or an express bus which took slightly longer to get to work. I decided to go with the bus, with my little radio (no MP3 players then) and my book of the week, I was in heaven. In fact I use to get so comfortable, by the time I got to my stop, I really didn't want to get off.

Its notable that since I learn to drive, my weight and health have suffered. Back then I was svelte 130lbs and thought I was too fat. Now I am 210lbs and with pre diabetes, high blood pressure, under active thyroid and a bad back, now 130lbs would be my dream weight. Actually I have pretty good idea why my back is bad at the moment. Before the summer, I had been going to the gym on a fairly regular basis but during the long summer hols over here, I let it slide. Also as I was getting up later, I wasn't walking the dog. So this week, I decided I needed to get back to the routine and started walking the dog. I think my back has become so weak with not doing anything for 3 months, the muscles just seized up. It happened before, actually, last summer, so I think I am right in my theory. Gordon, my husband says, that couldn't happen as that would be pretty pathetic but then my lack of exercise over the last 3 months has been pretty pathetic. Even going to the shops wears me out at the moment!