My name is Ilene. I turned 50 this past August 4th. I have a daughter (Jenna turned 20 on Jan. 3rd) and a son (Michael turned 17 on Sept. 29). I'm married to Alan (will be 23 years on June 24th). Presently I'm the head teacher of 2 year olds (we do diapers) and an assistant in a 4 year old class, at a nursery school in the reform temple (Jewish) down the block from my home. After 14 years of teaching there, I have decided to switch careers, so this will be my last year. Hopefully I will be able to get a job using my computer skills. I'm presently taking a course in using Office 2000 to update those skills.

I love contemporary country music, sci-fi, reading, and sometimes even write poetry (mostly free-form). I enjoy going to plays and watching professional ice skating. I love using the computer, and have several websites (links below).

On May 23, 2000 I joined Weight Watchers. I have lost around 65 lbs with the Points System plus another 10 before joining WWs, but have more than that to go to reach my goal. I've been struggling (so what else is new?) more than a bit lately, but am determined to lose and keep off this depressing fat. I believe the WW Points Program is really the way to do it, and I know my own emotional tendency is the only thing that gets in my way. I am doing anything I can think of to keep myself motivated (including creating my weight-loss website where I'm brutally honest about everything). Here's a link to my weight-loss website's photo section: My Photo Gallery

Oh... I'm also a Late Discovery Adoptee who searched for and found her birthmother 2 years after I found out (at 45 1/2) that I was an adoptee. Rachel is my given birthname. One of my sites is devoted to my story and adoption.