Healthy Living Celebration: We Want Your Stories!

Those of you have been reading us for a while might remember our Healthy Living Celebration -- featuring FITspirational stories of self-made athletes and others who used real-life wake-up calls to change their lives for the healthier. It's been a while since we've accepted new stories for this series, but we've missed hearing from you.

Good news, though! We're looking to get the fun started again.

If you missed 'em the first time, you can get caught up on these stories now:

• Laura overcame her eating disorder to embrace exercise.
• Josie quit being a quitter to get healthier and fitter.
• Chrissy found her inner athlete and rolled her way to running.
• The Nerdy Runner learned to love whole foods and marathons despite her busy schedule.
• Ashley (yes -- that's ME!). Enough third person. I share part one of my healthy living story: How I understood health as a child and struggled to find my way.
• Maissa became the gazelle of her dreams, falling head-over-heels for running.
• Jen embarked on an awesome journey from being overweight to in-charge of her health.
• Amy went from curling up on the couch to, well, CURLING!
• Brittany used to hate the gym. Then she found she had a thing for yoga.
• Karen went from restricting to living the healthy life through running and vegetarianism.
• In Part II of my Healthy Living story, I tell you all how I fell in love with running.
• Alysa overcame disordered eating habits/self-image and found a strength she never thought she had through running and yoga.
• Jenna went from letting herself go . . . to being ON the go with her cute Collie/Lab pooch.
• Maddie's fitspiration started at Lululemon and continues with half marathon training.
• Jen danced her way healthy with Zumba . . . and keeps it up with running and eating whole foods!
• Kerri ran/walked her way through a couch-to-5K program and is now eying 10Ks and half marathons!
• Nina went from smoking and starving to running and stretching.
• Samantha is learning to find balance with diet and exercise, embracing healthy habits.
• Rowena suffered through a crash and found there's more to health than fitting into THE dress.
• Jessica learned there's no such thing as a "real" runner and rocked a half marathon!
• Marike never thought she'd be a runner. Now she can't see life any other way!
• Loving Myself writes about her struggle with exercise anorexia and how her friends helped her heal.
• Ariel went from gym-obsessed and drained to running with a smile.
• Laura learned to love whole foods and running, as well as the healthy living community!
• Alison took a leap of faith and started running. Her goal? Run the Chicago Marathon!
• Kati went from eating crap and hating gym class to biking 100K and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• Jenn went from living rules and restrictions to loving the healthy life.

Over the next couple months, we'll be featuring up to 20 new healthy living stories from our readers. If you'd like to submit your own post, here's all you need to do:

1. Write up a thoughtful story about what made you want to be fit. What inspired you to eat more healthfully. What sport you thought you could never do. What situation served as a wake-up call to your need for a healthier lifestyle.
2. Anything goes -- nothing is too silly or insignificant. (But please write something new -- don't just send us a link to an already-published post.)
3. Email this story to us: neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com. Use the title: HEALTHY LIVING STORY.
4. Also send along 2 (or 3) photos to help illustrate your story. We'd prefer they be at least 500 pixels in height or width.
5. Include your contact information (name, what you'd like us to call you, blog address -- if you have one, etc.)
6. Be patient. We'll get back to you ASAP -- but publishing on the site may take several weeks.

Of course, if you have any questions -- just leave 'em in the comments section or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Healthy Living Week: Amy's Story

Amy writes:

Before the Vancouver 2010 Olympics started (image credit), I had decided that I was not going to get sucked into all the hype. The advertising for it seemed so overdone ("Do you believe?" Ugh, gag!), and I wanted to experience the Games for what it was -- not for what the ads promised it would be. Little did I expect that, despite my skepticism and cynicism, I would be completely inspired.

I can't exactly remember the "light bulb moment," but sometime during those fourteen days a revolutionary thought entered my mind: "Why shouldn't I be a fit person?" I suddenly realized that my lack of enjoyment for physical activity wasn't caused by the fact that I just wasn't "one of those people" who was born for it, but by my own belief that I just wasn’t one of those people. I have always had a thin-to-average-sized body and never really felt the need to exercise. I took gym class because I had to. I thought that people who enjoyed exercise must be of a completely different species. I was the girl with perfect grades who liked to read, make art and play music; I couldn’t relate to them. But it wasn't a big deal. I just wasn't one of them. That was fine; I had my own special talents and interests.

Something did bother me though. As someone who excelled at nearly everything she tried, when it came to physical activity, I felt completely inadequate. I imagined that everyone was shocked by my poor endurance, that they looked down on me, that I was slowing them down. They all made it look so easy and yet, try as I might, I could never keep up and was left dragging behind, uncomfortably hot and gasping for air.

But that was before. Once I realized that nobody was stopping me from being fit, I started exchanging those thoughts for more encouraging ones, and imagining what it would be like to finally go running, rock climbing, or hiking with friends and not spend one ounce of energy beating myself up for not being fast enough or strong enough. I could actually start to focus on enjoying being active. I knew that to get to that point, I would have to have a goal in mind and see relatively quick results in order to stay motivated and inspired.

Here's a little something about me: I love curling. (I'm a big Canadian nerd like that.)


(image credit)

(Not me)

Anyway, I remember watching the Olympics and the other big curling events when I was 13 or so, and thinking, "I want to do that!" But here's something else about me: I was an "all or nothing" kinda girl and I knew that I wouldn't improve enough to stay motivated by playing only one or two games a week. (I just recently found out that, if you're a member of a curling club and the ice is free, you can go practice whenever the hell you want! Let's just say that I'd be a much better curler by now had I known that at 13.) So when these Olympics rolled around and I got excited about curling all over again, I knew I had to join a club next season.

Despite how incredibly well both Canadian teams performed, I was still a feeling a little insecure by the fact that 22 seemed a little old to be getting all hardcore about a sport. Especially for someone who has always considered herself a non-athletic person. And then came Clara Hughes, speed-skater (and cyclist) extraordinaire! Her story is nothing short of inspiring. She had a rough time growing up, didn't get involved in sports until she was well into her teenage years, and she is the only Olympian, man or woman, ever to have won multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Games. Not to mention her philanthropy work and all around bright-light-ness. I mean, what's not to be inspired by?

Long story getting longer, I just decided that 22 was going to be the new 7. Besides, do I even want to go to the Olympics? Probably not. I just want to make some nice shots on league night, really (on purpose, I should clarify – not by fluke). If I can do that, I’ll be a happy camper.

And so I ordered myself a copy of John Morris's Fit to Curl (a book that focuses on curling-specific training) and mapped out a realistic exercise plan for myself. I actually made it a little easier than I thought I could handle. I decided that I was going to enjoy exercise. I was going to do only what felt comfortable for me and my body. I was going to be a fit person (not just a skinny one). I was going to use my thoughts as a way to support and encourage myself. I was going to be "one of those people." Finally! All it took was a simple decision, a simple shift in perspective, a simple commitment to change my relationship to fitness for the better.

So here I am, 3-4 months into my new and wonderful life. I was surprised by how quickly I saw improvements in my fitness levels (and how little time and effort it took!). I truly believe that shifting my thoughts to support my desire for health sped up the process and has helped me to enjoy being active. Now I exercise for fun (most days). And I don’t follow my training plan to a "T" (not even close!). I don’t waste a second beating myself up for skipping a day (or two, or three). All we have is now. I'll even admit that I've been slacking off quite a bit this summer (as in, I haven't done anything on my training program in at least 3 weeks. And I'm okay with that because I no longer dread exercise. I think fondly of it, really. I don't believe that exercising because you "have to" or exercising when you don't want to can really yield that many benefits. A happy, healthy mind is a prerequisite to having a happy, healthy body. So, start with one positive thought today.

I love you. Do you love you? (Come on, say it!) :)


Thanks for reading!

Amy (from be.you.ti.fully, a.musing)

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Healthy Living Week: Jen's Story

Jen writes:

In the summer of 2008 I finally got tired of being unhappy and overweight. I was a chubby kid all throughout middle school and high school and entered college at a size 14. I never considered myself "fat," but just a bigger girl. During college, I tried sporadic diets but nothing ever really stuck. Instead of gaining the freshman 15, I gained the freshman 50.


I rarely exercised and ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. By the the time I graduated college, I was the heaviest I've ever been at 220 pounds, which is considered obese for my 5'4" frame. I hated looking at pictures of myself and often felt disgusted looking in the mirror. I knew I had to do something, or I would remain unhappy.


One day, I randomly picked up the book Skinny Bitch to see what it was all about. For some reason, the harsh words the book actually stuck with me, and I wanted to make a big change in my lifestyle. This wasn't a fad -- it was for real. I was going to do something about my weight once and for all.

I started going on daily walks, and incorporating small amounts of exercise every into my daily routine, along with completely changing my diet. I began with eating 1200-1400 calories day, mostly of which consisted of veggie burgers, and special K cereal. This worked for me! I gave up red meat and pork as well. I would eat lean chicken breast and turkey sandwiches, and big fresh salads. I finally found a "diet" I could stick with: Portion control and removing high fat foods from my diet. I started losing weight: about 2 pounds a week.

One day, while going for a walk at my high school track, I had a desire to run. I had flashbacks of coming in last place during "the mile" in gym class, but I ran one lap anyway. I was so proud myself! I kept going back to the track and increasing my running distance and eventually ran one mile without stopping. Running would soon become my exercise of choice, and it helped me lose the rest of my weight.


As of today, I've lost over 80 pounds. I've completed five 5Ks, a 3.5 mile race, a four mile race, and a 15K. I've discovered a passion in life and I feel better than I ever have. I started my own blog, where I've found a community of people who have the same passion as I do. I'm currently training for my first half marathon. Through healthy eating and fitness I've truly found myself and I know I'm capable of anything, and can do anything I set my mind to.

Thanks for reading!

Jen (from Jen is Green)

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Healthy Living Week: Maissa's Story

Maissa writes:

So I’ve already written a post about how I went from 214 pounds to my current 160 (I’m tall, 5’7, and build muscle easily, so this is actually a healthy weight for me), for Healthy Tipping Point, but for the (never home)maker Health Living Celebration, I want to talk about how I became a runner. While learning to run happened as a part of my "journey to health," my love for running deserves its own moment in the spotlight, because in a way, in helped me more than losing 54 pounds ever did.

Let’s back up to age 12. To those dreaded middle school years where girls either start getting gorgeous, or go from cute to, well, awkward. I went awkward. (Me too, Maissa!) What had been adorable as a kid (curly hair, chubby cheeks, and a healthy layer of baby fat), now turned me into an outcast, made even worse by my complete lack of sports-related-talent. I’m pretty sure I’m the only kid in history who got a note sent home saying I was failing PE because I refused to run the mile. When my mother confronted me about I replied that did complete the mile . . . I just walked it . . . in roughly 15 minutes. I hated running. I hated feeling out of breath, the burn, and the way it made my legs hurt. I hated how the kids in my class used to make fun of me as they lapped me over and over again.

Yet, perhaps because running was my nemesis, I dreamed of being a runner. How amazing would it be if I became one of those long-legged gazelle types, flying across the pavement with an easy, breezy smile on my face as my ponytail swung back and forth? Running was a far off dream, something I would get good at when I finally managed to lose the weight. It was on that list. You know, the list. The one that includes all those things you’ll do after you lose the weight. My list included shopping at a normal store, buying a pair of designer jeans, and wearing a dress that came above my knees, and becoming a runner.

Finally, after several failed attempts, I started to lose the weight and keep it off. I had lost about 25 pounds when I started running. I was working with a trainer at the time and he casually suggested that I try running for a fifteen minute stretch on the treadmill. If that felt OK, he continued, I should take a five minute walk break and then run for another fifteen. Apprehensive and excited I gave it a shot. I’m not going to pretend those first fifteen minutes were easy. My lungs burned. I think the treadmill was set to 4.5 mph (a slow jog, really), and my calves started aching almost immediately but I got through it. Then to my own surprise: I got through the next fifteen minutes.

I felt euphoric. I was going to become a gazelle!


Well, of course, that’s not exactly what happened. My stride is hardly graceful, and my hair is far too short to be pulled into a swing-y ponytail. What did happen, however, was: I fell in love with running. I remember the first time I ever ran for an hour straight. I finished out of breath and floating on air. For the rest of the day my face was covered in a stupid-grin. Around that time I decided I could probably run a marathon right? I mean running 26.2 miles when running one used to be impossible would be the ultimate tribute to my middle-school self.

So I started small. On November 19th of last year I ran my first 10k. It rained, and it was windy. I was cold, wet, and I loved it. I loved the energy, crossing the finish line, making my time goal (under 1-hour, 59:44), getting a race shirt. The race bug bit, hard. So it only made logical sense that I turn my sites onto a half marathon from there, right? I ran the Fort Langley 1/2 Marathon on February 21st, and then turned around and ran the Vancouver 1/2 Marathon on May 2nd three minutes faster.

Now I’m training to run the Victoria 1/2 marathon in under two hours (current PR 2:04:36) on October 10th. From there, I’m looking towards the Eugene Marathon on May 1st 2011. Yes, it is a long way off, but I love running too much to risk injury. I don’t really think my body is meant for running, I carry my weight in my hips and rear-end, and am prone to hip pain. I’ve never been injured, but I think that’s more because I know when to back off. So, I’ll build to the full slowly, so that when I get there I can run, not stumble, across the finish line (though a stumble-run will be acceptable).

The truth is, since losing weight I’ve been able to successfully check off most of the things on my "what to do when fit" list, but few of them have provided the satisfaction I thought they would. In fact, none of them has, except running. A year and a half after that first treadmill jog, I’m still in love with running. That’s not to say getting out the door is always easy. Nor does it imply I never have a bad run. I have, trust me. I’ve experienced miles and miles on end of painful slogging, but it is all made worth it by those good runs. You know the ones I mean, the ones that are easy. Where you get lost in the movement and feel like you’re flying. Everything clicks and you just flow . . . I run for those moments. Because, rare as they are, in those moments I feel like that gazelle I always wanted to be.

Thanks for reading!

Maissa (from Run, Rant, Realize)

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Healthy Living Week: The Nerdy Runner's Story

First, I just wanted to let you know that I just found your blog in the past couple of weeks and have really enjoyed reading it. I follow a lot of running blogs (as well as have one of my own) and love that you've been able to write about so much more, yet still have a fairly centralized focus on budget-friendly healthy living. I, too, try to follow a healthy lifestyle. Although, I'm not always successful with healthy eating, I have noticed drastic changes in my body over the past year.

Here's the gist:

After getting married, I began to put on weight. I blamed the majority of my weight gain on my new-found love of baking (mainly desserts), but the truth is that I'd never paid attention to portion control or making sure I ate healthily. Throughout my school years I was an active dancer. I was a member of the dance team in high school and my freshman year of college, then I moved back home to get married and no longer participated in organized dance. I never realized just how important that physical activity was for my body. The results: I quickly put on 50 or so pounds within 2-3 year of marriage. I was definitely NOT on a good path!

Over the next year I tried to lose weight. And I successfully managed to lose 25 pounds, but almost immediately gained back at least 15 of those.

Fast forward to April of 2009. I was sick of being overweight and tired of the way I felt about my body. It's embarrassing, but I even began to notice how uncomfortable it was for me to cross my legs. Scratch embarrassing; I found it humiliating. I knew I needed to do something to change the way I felt about myself. I knew that physical activity (mainly dance) was what kept me at a healthy weight for years, but I knew that my body needed more than just exercise now. I knew that I needed to pay closer attention to what I ate, especially if I wanted to lose weight, not just maintain it like I did before.

The timing I chose was tough. I was in the middle of my graduate school career and was often on campus for 12 hours a day, through lunch and dinner. But, then again, maybe that made it a little easier. I was able to pack myself a lunchbox full of healthy foods such as raw veggies, fruits, and deli sandwiches (now made on whole wheat bread). Plus due to the grad school budget, whatever I packed was all I got. I payed close attention to my diet and even used an app on my iPhone (Lose It!) to help me keep track of how many calories I needed. I knew that by introducing running (something I had never liked before) into my routine it was important that I make sure I had enough food to keep me going. I wanted to make sure that I lost weight the right way. I didn't want to be "skinny," but healthy. I wanted to feel good about myself and not be ashamed to wear shorts out in public, but also be strong enough to not tire from walking up a few flights of stairs.

Between altering my diet and starting the Couch to 5K running program, my body began to react to the changes. Not only did the weight start to melt off, but I started to have more energy. I had less problems with depression, and running seemed to help alleviate the stresses I felt. I began to actually enjoy my time out on the road and started increasing my distances. Before I knew it a year had passed and I managed to complete my very first marathon within 362 days of starting the Couch to 5K program. It was definitely a challenge and took loads of discipline, but I loved it.


I am now currently training for the St. Jude Marathon in December. I've also noticed major changes in how my body responds to food. Because the majority of what I eat is REAL food (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc.), when I eat food that is not healthy for me, my body doesn't respond as well. Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoy ice cream, burgers, and the occasional donut, but I don't get those foods nearly as often and I definitely pay for it if I eat them in the care-free quantities I used to. I've even had many completely meat-free days without even trying. Instead opting for the meat-centric plate, I now find myself ordering veggie-filled main dishes while eating out.

This is completely new to me and I'm slowly starting to discover how delicious vegetables can be. I don't think I'll be making the jump to vegetarian any time soon (I'm married to a steak-and-potatoes kind of man -- and I like meat, too), but the majority of my diet no longer revolves around meat. Now that I am back to being home most nights with my internship starting (no more night classes, yay!), I am working on learning new healthy recipes and experimenting with foods I'd never even noticed before. I've even managed to find a few recipes that the hubby wants to make again!

So that's where I am now. I'm working hard to stay active and am hoping that my internship won't interfere with my plans to train for the St. Jude Marathon. My focus has moved more towards new recipes and I'm trying to cook more meals at home that follow healthy guidelines than on weight loss. At this point in my life (and hopefully from now on), I just try to live a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Thanks for reading!

- The Nerdy Runner

You can learn more about me on my blog. And I can also be found on Twitter.

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Healthy Living Week: Chrissy's Story

Chrissy writes:

First of all, let me tell you how much I love your blog: a lot! I've been reading for a few months now, and just about every post is relevant, delicious, inspirational, and fun to look at (your photos are great!). It's always exciting to find someone writing original, accessible content, and you two are on a roll.

You're TOO sweet, Chrissy! Also, please note that all these awesome photos were taken by Chrissy's friend David Kimling.

As for my healthy living story, I am also what you call a "self-made athlete." While I have always tried to be active (mostly by doing aerobics classes via DVDs or my college gym) I never played sports, never thought of myself as competitive, and never really found enjoyment in getting my sweat on. Then, in 2004, I moved to Texas with my boyfriend, and a year after that, I learned that some women were starting up a local roller derby team. Even though I didn't know how to skate, even though I didn't *do* sports, and even though I was pretty sure I would break my neck at the first practice, I signed up.


For the next two years, I not only learned how to skate but worked my way up to team captain, practicing three times a week and going to the track on off days to cross-train. Suddenly, working out wasn't about getting a smaller butt - it was about kicking butt!

The stress of constantly trying to recruit in a small, southern town proved to be too much and after playing just two public bouts, my roller derby league broke up. For a few months, I didn't do much of anything and then, on a whim, I decided to train for a 5K as a New Year's Resolution, and even got some ex-rollergirls to train with me. We used the couch-to-5K plan and I ran my first race in March - 3.1 miles in 34 minutes. After that, I decided I wanted to get faster and go longer, and in February I ran my first marathon.


Running races and roller derby don't have much in common, but they give me the same rush, the same feeling of accomplishment, and most of all, the same reason to stay healthy and active. Because I like kicking butt, and this is the best way I know how!

Thanks for reading!

Chrissy (The New Me)

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Healthy Living Week: Josie's Story

Josie writes:

Hey, (never home)makers! I saw your tweet about an upcoming week celebrating healthy living . . . and I thought I'd share. Maybe my story is interesting, maybe it's not? You decide.

Note from us: YES. Every story is interesting :)

I can’t say that I was ever really interested in healthy living or nutrition. I was athletic as a kid and into my teens until my asthma became a great excuse to get out of gym class and sports teams. When I was 13, I chose (against my family and doctor's advice) to become a vegetarian. My family wasn’t supportive, but they were all overweight and under-active, so I didn’t care.

I also can’t say I was the healthiest vegetarian (vegan for a few years), yet being one was all I thought I needed to do to be considered "healthy." In my late teens, I took up yoga, then I got bored and quit. In my early 20s, I started working out at the gym, then I got bored and quit. Then running came. You guessed it: I got bored and quit.

In my mid 20s, I went vegan again and started going to the gym a few times a week. This pattern lasted about 5 months before -- you guessed it again -- I got bored and quit the gym. I was a quitter, I couldn’t seem to stick with any kind of fitness activity. I didn’t care, though. I was only 10-15 pounds heavier than I wanted to be -- it could be worse, right? Let's not forget that I was tired, irritable, over-caffeinated, always hyped-up on sugar. I was a carb addict, too. To me, though -- it was alright.

In December of 2009, my mother was rushed to the hospital. She was having a heart attack (actually she had two and was having a third in the ambulance). She ended up having a slight procedure and was sent home with a "new" diet to follow. Nothing to worry about, these things happen all the time . . . and it was probably just from all those Big Macs she ate in her 30s, I told myself. Right? I didn’t need to worry because I didn’t eat meat.

Fast-forward 3 months, my mom was back in the hospital with yet another heart attack. This time, she underwent quadruple bypass surgery. I freaked out; I scheduled a physical to make sure I was OK (it had been 5 years since my last general health visit), cut out most white breads and rices, drastically reduced my sugar intake (bye-bye 8 packets in my coffee!), and started exercising -- for good, this time. If my mom didn’t get sick, I’d still be consuming mass quantities of unhealthy foods. I’d still be a quitter. Now I’m a former-quitter? A quitter in recovery? Ex-quitter?

I’m now training to run a 5K and then a 10K. My untreated-for-over-5-years asthma is slowly becoming less and less of an issue, and I feel better -- not perfect -- but better. I’m not as tired as I used to be, I’m usually not irritable anymore and I generally feel better. I am now committed to my health and to fitness. I have recently discovered an interest in nutrition -- my nutrition, vegetarian nutrition, nutrition in different cultures, etc. And if I wasn’t 3/4 through an MFA in Design program, I’d be applying to a RD one.

Who’s to say I’m not going to quit again? Well, I'll tell you this: I'm done quitting. I'm in my late 20s. Now is the time to develop life long healthy habits. What I experienced with my mom. When I saw her go through surgery, it woke me up. Through diet, exercise, and -- if needed -- medicine, I can work to prevent the same from happening to me.

Thanks for reading!

Josie (check out my blog here)

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Healthy Living Week: Laura's Story

Laura writes:

Hi (never home)makers! I wanted to share my healthy living story with your readers because I recently finished a half marathon (full recap here)!

I started training about 3 years ago. I was in recovery from an eating disorder which had controlled my life completely for 7 years, and I needed a healthy focus. I wasn't training for anything in particular back then. I mainly used workouts from Ross Enamait's books and trained with my partner, Mike. We did lots of different strength and conditioning routines, and I believe finding exercise helped my recovery a great deal. I slowly started to focus my attentions on gaining strength and slowly became less worried about the number on the scale and the food I was eating.


I'm not saying exercise cured me -- I had to see a psychotherapist weekly for CBT and other treatment. I also attended two self help groups organized by Seed (a local eating disorder charity and had a huge amount of support from Mike) . . . That boy put up with a lot! But the exercise gave me another reason to eat enough because when I didn't eat enough, I couldn't work out properly.

I've been in recovery for 2-3 years now, and I'm happy to report that I'm OK most of the time. Though I still have some problems, they are manageable and they aren't on a level where they are unhealthy. I'm very careful to maintain a healthy weight and fuel my workouts well both before and after!


I joined a boxing gym with Mike last year in August, initially just for fitness but I soon realized I wanted to compete. My competitive streak is just too strong! After I'd been boxing a few months, I discovered how useful running was for fitness and begun running once or twice a week. I started to really love it, especially when I could beat my old times and really see improvement.

When I started, I struggled to run 1 mile in 9 minutes. Now I can run 1 mile in under 7 minutes! Mike and I decided in January that we would like to do some fund-raising for Seed since they helped me so much in my recovery. Despite us both being novice runners, we decided we would like to run a half marathon and give our sponsors to Seed. As I mentioned above, we both completed the half marathon . . . and -- the best part -- Mike proposed at the finish line!

(Of course, I said yes!)


I'm still fully in recovery from the eating disorder and my blog documents all my boxing and running training (with the odd recipe thrown in for good measure)!

Thanks for reading my story,

Laura

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