More catching up!

Ok, so I finally started back to work. I am so thankful that I did - for so many reasons. To name a few, not thinking about China as much has been wonderful. Starting to think about Ethiopia, since it is now possible has been interesting. Paying off debt is always nice. But more than anything, to use my brain again - or at least what's left of it, has been the best part! The hardest part, on the other hand is my inability to balance everything. Stuff at home, exercise and work - it seems like time would be there, but my energy level isn't quite there yet. Which brings me to my need to get back to my trainer. My goal in December was to lose 20 pounds. Well I am almost there!!! I am for the most part within a pound. The biggest part of my goal was to make food and exercise a part of my life; since I don't believe in diets of any sort!!! And I mean that with passion!!! So, I do better on food - although I need to make my lunches - I am spoiled. Trying to eat balanced food 5 times a day isn't easy anymore. I am still working on fruit and yogurt as snacks during the week - but I forget them. And although I get cardio (walks or elliptical) almost everyday - my strength training is taking a beating! So, tomorrow I am vowing to get up at 6am and go for a half hour walk without the dog and try to do that 2 days a week....WISH ME LUCK!! Oh yeah, I had to add this picture from Ranger when he was roughly 4 months old - he spent most of his early months here with me on the couch while my 2 ankle surgeries healed - lots of painkillers with that one!

Still catching up!!!

So, this is what I came back to after such a wonderful vacation; sort of. Hobbes was so sick when I got back - he was under the crib, determined not to com out. When I finally got him out he was moving funny, so I looked under him and found what looked like dried blood. It was much too late to do anything at that point, so the next afternoon I took him to our local vet (who we love btw) and when trying to take his temp they found a HUGE abscess. And I do mean huge. He must have been bitten by one of the neighbor dogs a few days earlier before I got home. James said he was acting funny. The did surgery, and you can't see it but it turned out so well. He didn't look like he was going to make it for about 7 days and finally he was acting himself and 7 days later his stitches were removed. He was so sad and had to be closed away from everyone and wear that HUMILIATING cone... He's fine now - we do have the best vet!! Oh yeah, he is now back to being an 'inside cat'

Pictures from Kauai in May

wow, it's hard to believe we've been back for two months!!! BTW, we had so much fun!! I thought I might throw in some pics of the trip. One of our best vacations yet - ok, one of our only vacations, but still really great! We stayed in Kapaa for most of the trip, a busy yet quiet little town. Seemed like mostly locals. We got to spend a half day zooming on the Ziplines and spent a few days actually playing on the beach and it seemed like quite a bit of time driving around. I did get one day on the boogie board in Hanalai - which I loved the most! James and I got to spend 2 nights at the Marriott, which was really wonderful. My only regret, I DIDN'T GET TO EAT ENOUGH SUSHI!!!!