Hello! Anybody out there?

Good morning everyone!  Assuming anyone is still looking at this blog.  I have not been very diligent in keeping it up lately.  I find that it's difficult to focus any time outside of work and spending time with James to do any writing, but I really would like to change that.

Soooo....I don't know where to begin to bring you guys up to date on what's happening in my life.  First of all, let's talk about work.  Work is absofreaking CRAZY!  It has been for about 18 months now.  Just when I think I see light at the end of the tunnel, somebody puts up a brick wall in front of it.  It's been non-stop and back to back projects since October of 2010.  

Don't get me wrong...I still love my job, but 60 hour work weeks are way too much.  I'm too old for that crap!!  

Speaking of which...I turned 51 this past November and it didn't hurt too bad.  It's better than the alternative I guess.  I am feeling so much better now that I've lost 63 pounds since June of 2010.  I've lost 13 pounds since January 1st this year and my goal is another 17 pounds by the end of March.  My goal is to lose another 20 after that.  My target weight is 230 pounds and to be off of my diabetes and blood pressure medication by the end of this year.  

I made more changes to my diet at the beginning of this year and have tried to make the majority of my nutritional intake come from plant sources.  I supplement my meals with a bit of fish or chicken (and yes, the occasional steak or pork loin) instead of making the meat the main course.  These days, I look at meat as a side dish.  And it helps a great deal.  My skin has improved and I find my energy level is a lot higher.  If I eat too much meat now, I feel bloated and lethargic.

I had originally considered going totally vegan.  But the more I thought about it, I realized I didn't want to give up meat just yet.  I love it!  I have mostly given up dairy...I haven't had milk, cheese, or butter since Christmas.  Still have the occasional egg for breakfast with a piece of whole grain toast and homemade hummus.

I also signed up for organic, locally grown produce to be delivered to my house every other week.  You should check it out.  I love it!  The veggies and fruit are delicious!  Their website is www.farmfreshtoyou.com and if you're in Northern California, it's well worth it.  I pay $44 every other week for a box.  We get fresh chard, kale, apples, oranges, spinach, leeks, fennel, celery root, pears, and so much other stuff.  I have found after eating this food fresh from the garden, the produce I get a Safeway or Walmart does not have the same taste.  Plus, when I get supermarket produce now, I feel like I can taste the pesticides when I eat it.  Maybe I'm crazy...

James and I are both doing well.  He hasn't worked in nearly 2 years, but he has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.  It's taken a toll on his emotional well-being, but overall he's handling things fairly well.  We've applied for disability for him and we're waiting to see what happens with that.

We're also debating about giving up the house and finding a place to rent.  I feel the need to be mobile these days.  I'm totally open to leaving California if the right job came up.  It would have to be someplace that would still recognize our marriage...the Netherlands perhaps?  After all, Teleplan is headquartered there.  Who knows?  We'll play it by ear.

I think that's enough for today...I'll leave you with a tidbit about my family.  I'm about to be a great uncle.  My nephew, Josh, is having a baby with his girlfriend.  It's a boy and he's due in March/April.  I'll post pictures as soon as I can.  I am considering a trip to North Carolina in April, so I'll definitely have to have some baby time.

Love you all!!