Rut Update

Cutter's Log - Stardate 3102.31.40
Current Song - Right Now (Van Halen)

Pretty sure my car has a problem with the drive axle. It makes a grinding noise when I put it in drive and it won't move. When I put it in park it doesn't rest and feels like it's really in neutral.

I had a similar problem when driving to work in Dixon one day. So that's where I'm guessing drive axle. I also patched in a call to one of the parts stores in town, where one of them is around $75 after tax. I would like to get my cousin look at it. So my fingers are crossed right now.

I do want to get this car problem fixed, as opposed to getting a different car. I was comtemplating what to do about it before walking to work last night.

Of course, I always drive the 1/3 mile there, so when one of my co-workers wondered what was up, I told her.

She asked me what I was leaning toward. I said I didn't know, and that I didn't have enough energy to work a second job (as mentioned in the previous Blog entry) to help pay for another car.

Then came one of those "You don't have to answer this to me, or you can, but ..." questions.

"Do you eat a lot of junk food?"

I still do, despite having cut back on it since that health scare in November. As of this write, I am down from 343 to 308 and counting. She told me that was the whole problem - junk food. She then asked me when was the last time I had any blood work done. I didn't know what she meant, so she clarified by asking me when was the last time I had blood taken out by a doctor.

I can't even remember, telling her the last time I saw a doctor was 13 years ago when I had surgery on a cyst in my throat. Plus, I don't go to a doctor for financial reasons. I don't have any insurance, medical card, HMO or whatever they're called. Just the cash to my name.

That led to my cholesterol. My dad had it bad years ago. I've never had mine checked, but I can simply guess that it's maybe around 400, judging from what he ate then and what I ate not too long ago. My fault entirely. I don't know how to get one, or how much it costs. I don't feel like getting one until I know how much it costs.

In addition to more exercise, I learned about tomatoes. Apparently, the acid helps dissolve fat, plus learning that my fat is pushing on my organs and making them work overtime. I had a feeling, but never told to me like that.

Oatmeal in the morning. Granola bars. Tomato and turkey sandwich, that is, turkey fresh from a deli stand. More walking.

All up to me and in my hands.

I've also struggled to substitute pop with water; something I've told myself I was going to do for at least two years. The prices worried me. I've found pop in the 12-pack for as less as $2.50. If I can find a better deal on bottled water, that'd be great. Right now I have a 12-pack of County Market-brand regular cola and a 12-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper that I'd like to get rid of now.

All told, the decision to fix my car problem is based on needing TIME to regain strength and to increase endurance and stamina. After a while the car will fall apart completely. When that happens, I'll take a look at what's out there.

So it's a health decision, really.

My health is more important than anything right now.