Lots o' News!

News is like feast or famine! For a while, I had nothing to write; now I have tons!
Health
The cough is now completely gone. I just have allergy-related stuff, but nothing severe at all. My back still twinges every so often, but I'm being careful, so it's OK.
The weight could use a lot of work. Still the same weight this past Monday. :( So I got an AirStepper from WalMart to tighten up those nasty areas & get in a little aerobic activity. So far, I do like it, but I have to do it when watching TV/reading/listening to music, because it can be boring.
Had a good check-up at the doctors. Yes, the same Dr I walked out on while waiting a year ago. So it turns out that nothing was wrong after all last year, just as I thought!
Son
I think emotionally, he is making some strides. Last Saturday, he asks if I remembered when we were fighting a lot a few weeks ago. I said we've been fighting a lot longer than that! Anyway, he said that he remembered that I said that we all have choices & have to take responsibility for ourselves & our choices, and he said, "That's really true, Mom." (It seems to me that he's been reevaluating some of his bad academic choices lately!) Definitely a mark of maturity progressing there...
One thing he told me yesterday is that he has a paper (his weakest area) due for one of his classes, but he's getting help on it in his Academic Assistance class. This tells me that 1-he's not blowing off the paper, and 2-he is seeking help where he needs it.
Another thing is that, when we were visiting my mom she asked him if he was going to graduate & he said in a definite voice, "Yes." (I hope that's true!!!) She also asked what he was going to do once high school was over. To my surprise, he said that he was definitely going to community college, but probably not till next spring. (Before, he's be really wishy-washy & non-committal about it.) As far as that goes, I don't care so much; personally I don't think it's a good fit for him. But I'll be open to him surpising me!
And finally, I got the notice for THE VERY LAST PPT EVER!!! May 28, the "Exit PPT". Woo-hoo! If I didn't have another kid in that school, I'd tell them a thing or 2! But I'll be good...
Daughter
Same as usual, with the normal teenage girl mood things occasionally! She's thinking of quitting Scouts at the end of the school year, since the troop as a whole is getting younger & she's getting more focused on school.
Husband
Just finished up work for the season; there's a possibility he may be called back for some odd jobs, though.
Mom
As I said, we visited her for Mother's Day & had a nice late lunch together. She really liked the patio plant I got her--major score, since she is so hard to shop for!
Mean Sister
Keeping her at arms length, but not cut off. My mom had told me of how, on Mother's Day, MS came to her house & picked at something (which I can totally see her doing), mom dismissed it & MS "left in a huff". Well, when MS & I were texting that night, she said that mom was the one picking a fight! (And seriously, I think it could have gone either way; they are both predispositioned like that!) But I didn't get pulled into it; I was pretty much, "well, good thing your visit was short then." Kept my eyes opened for any red flags, kept things civil & factual, and remained on the offensive (i.e., asking her general questions).
Now that I think about it, both of them seem less mean if I'm asking them for facts, questions, etc. Gotta keep that in mind...
Genealogy
This weekend, I'll be doing an "overnighter". Going up to the cemetery where my grandparents (and actually, 5 generations) are buried to take pictures & pay respects. I'll also be meeting a step-cousin who lives nearby. And the next day I'll be going to my genealogy society meeting, where the speaker will be one of the bigger names in genealogy! It's supposed to be great weather, so I'm really, really looking forward to it.