Guys I´m sorry for boring you to tears with my pathetic post.
The only thing I can say is that I swam 1700 metres in a swimming pool today and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The sun was beating down and the water was lovely. 25ºF is something we see on TV or go on holiday to visit. The biggest and most dangerous animal in these parts is the bunny rabbit (they chew through cables - very annoying to the injured party).
I don´t like summer here much but the other 3 seasons are lovely. I have booked a 2 week holiday back to Ireland at Christmas, just to get a bit of real weather into me.

PS Ladybuggy I would like to say that I feel for your loss and my best wishes go to you during this very difficult period.