I've gained 10 lbs since I've had two knee surgeries in 6 months. It's not because I'm sitting around eating bon-bons. I suppose I have to blame it on inactivity which is driving me absolutely nuts. I think I'm venting here.

Thirteen more days until school is out for the summer. I still have three children at home and that means Camp Mommy will open in a few short weeks. Endless piles of wet towels, crumpled up bathingsuits in a soggy pile in the hamper, children as thirsty as camels and an exploding summer food budget. Sounds like Camp Paradise to me!

I'm a self professed candle addict and I can't walk by a candle store without going in to take a look. Who am I kidding? I never just look. I always need one more candle that makes my home smell like I just baked an apple pie.  With all the candle scents that have been created, I thought about coming up with my own. Not sure if there'd be any best sellers in there but we all can't have a candle called "Paradise" burning all the time.

Today I got a new addition to my massive stash of orthopedic devices. A cane. A CANE?? I'm just 9 days shy of turning 45 and I've got myself a good old geriatric cane. Oh joy. In November 2007, I had my first of two knee surgeries after a car accident left my knee in disrepair. I've spent the last 6 months on crutches and in a variety of braces ranging from a full leg hellish-contraption to my current sleek German engineered brace. It might be engineered as well as a BMW but it sure doesn't make me move that fast. It just helps my knee from going where it shouldn't.

I've always had a sense of humor but lately I've been working a little harder at finding it. My left knee was reconstructed in November 2007 following an auto accident. As an active single mom of five children, I just assumed I'd bounce back quickly and I'd be back to life as I knew it.