After what seemed like a century in waiting for my latest lab test results to find their way to my mailbox, here goes:

• CBC
• HGB (test for anemia): Normal 13.8
• Blood Glucose (Diabetes test): Normal 90
• Cholesterol
• Total Cholesterol: 244
• Triglycerides: 120
• HDL (good cholesterol): 103
• LDL (bad cholesterol): 117

The first thing that jumped right out and hit me in the forehead was that Total Cholesterol: 244 number. What?! That’s HIGH, isn’t it? So I Googled my way around all kinds of medical sites, the big ones like Mayo Clinic and American Heart Association to find out why Dr. M wasn’t freaking out about my results like I am right now. But after reading up on cholesterol facts online, I’m only left feeling even more confused and wondering… did Dr. M even see my results? When was his last eye exam anyway? Ok, that wasn’t nice - just kidding Dr. M.

All I can figure is that living a healthy lifestyle and having off-the-chart ‘good’ cholesterol levels (HDL) is buying me more time before my arteries get all clogged up with gunk. Regular exercise must be good for something, even if it’s a ‘Get Out of Atherosclerosis Free’ card. But you know, maybe all those salty peanutty snacks aren’t helping the situation in the meantime? Probably not. *sigh*

Looks like I’ve got myself another goal for next year: Lower Cholesterol

Unlike computer technology, gaming systems in our house aren’t always state-of-the-art, yet we do eventually hop on the bandwagon and venture out to buy the latest craze. This time all the rage is the Nintendo Wii. After the CK’s spent many a play date testing out this game system at friend’s homes, finally I caved and promised to buy one by the end of the school year, mostly as a way of congratulating them on their hard work and dedication throughout the year. So now the time has come, and I’m scrambling around like a headless chicken in search of a Wii. No problem, right?

Wrong. Check out my progress so far:
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Ever since last year’s annual physical in which I’d impressed the OB/GYN with my lack of health complaints or issues, I vowed to maintain status quo so as not to disappoint Dr. M this year. And after 12 months of pushing myself to the limit with a regular exercise routine, staying good with daily calorie counting and fasting the night before my appointment, well, I’m pretty sure I’ve achieved that goal.

Here’s how it all played out today:
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Every year, the Catholic Family and I keep tabs on Santa’s whereabouts as he delivers presents across the globe by way of NORAD’S Santa Tracker. But holy smokes, are we in for a treat this year after major updates to the tracker site. Much to our surprise, NORAD added Google Earth technology, which amounts to 3-D tracking of Santa. Sweet!

If you have absolutely no idea of what I’m talking about, first go here to NORAD’s tracking sight, then go here to download Google Earth, and finally go here to get the Santa Tracker local to your desktop. Missed some of Santa’s stops? No problem! NORAD posts video of Santa’s delivery sites on YouTube here.

Christmas just gets better & better every year.