I'm presently living in Los Angeles, previously in Columbus, Ohio. I was born and raised in New Rochelle, NY and left to go to school at age 22. Have lived in Los Angeles for about thirty years, with a husband, son, daughter.
I was an insurance adjustor, then paralegal until my second child was born. I stayed at home ever since. About ten years ago I was in a severe head-on auto accident. I appeared to recover, but actually the trauma turned a case of mild osteoarthritis into a raging one involving most of my joints. I've had one hip already replaced and have to take pain pills to live a somewhat normal life. The remarks and attitudes I have to put up with because of my meds put me in a rage. I'll spare you all the rant except to say that I am tired of being looked at as if I were an addict.
As well as everything else, I had been a part-time artist all my life, mostly involved in printmaking. My doctor told me not to do this after the accident, so I switched to jewelry art about five years ago. Had I known myself better, I'd have become a jewelry artist right out of high school, but at least I did find out what I was meant to do. Some never do.
I don't pamper myself in spite of the chronic pain, but keep house, make jewelry, have relationships which I nourish. I suspect that all this results in eating sweets, which calm and comfort me. The down side is that I don't like the way I look at 160++ pounds! That weight is also putting my hip and all other joints at risk. It's got to come off for many reasons. It never fails to amaze me that I'm risking another hip surgery because I like ice cream. Ridiculous. But that's what compulsive eating does. It's good to be among people who understand that your not just being stupid, but that letting go of these foods is a real bear!!!