Oh how time flies....

I'm not sure how it came to be June of 2010, and my last post was over 8 month ago. Unbelievable.

I've now typed and retyped this line six times trying to figure out where to start. Start with the now? Or go back 8 months and try to catch up? I really don't know.

I bought a condo. There, that's a start. It was a crazy whirlwind process, and I find myself having paid a mortgage for the last six months. Oddly enough, I did not rent out my second bedroom. Somehow I have managed to afford the mortgage and homewoners dues on my own. Which I'm pretty stoked about because now that I have lived without a roomie, I think it would be reeeally hard to do it again. Bradley is basically living with me, and he helps a little too. I really love making this place my own, but it is definitely in the forefront of my mind to be looking for the next place - a step up with more room. That will be awesome. I'm also really looking forward to a tax return that reflects home ownership - I think it will be much nicer than normal. :)

It has been a serious year of visits and visitors, which I think is why I have been so very lax in my posting. I think it's a great excuse. I went back to the mainland the first week of December 2009, and then Elissa and Paul came to visit in March 2010. Dad surprised me with a birthday trip back to the mainland in early April. Corrie came to visit in late April. Lisa Fluckiger and her whole family came to visit in May. I'm going back in June for mom's surgery. Jayson and family are all coming in August. I'm going back in October for Grandma's 90th. And so far, that's it. :o)

In January, I made a resolution of sorts to change my lifestyle. I had gained about 40 lbs in the last 4-5 years, and I am really unhappy about it. So I started making some big changes in terms of what I eat and my activity level. Things have changed a lot since January/February. I was doing really well, and dropped 10 lbs by the end of February, and then with visits and visitors, I allowed myself a whole lot of excuses. I haven't stopped thinking about my lifestyle change, and I have definitely made some better decisions for myself, but I'm still struggling with food and my weight. I re-commited to myself in the last couple weeks, and my fridge is now full of a lot of green stuff, but I'm not feeling very optimistic about my resolve. I just don't know how to get over emotional eating and lazy eating....but I'm working on it.

I don't have a working digital camera, and I really need to fix that - I hate not having a camera with me for the special moments. My phone camera just doesn't cut it.

I got a dog! I've had him for exactly a month, and he's so awesome. His name is Montague Ruffalo Stebbins, and he's super mellow and sweet. I got him after a particularly vulnerable trip to the Humane Society - Carrie and I go there every once in a while just to see the sweet dogs and cats and give them a little love. I usually escape unscathed. But once those droopy eyes looked up at me, I just couldn't resist. He is amazing, and is just what I needed in terms of enjoying the outdoors. Because we live in a relatively small condo, we have to go out for walks twice a day. And I love that. We have a great time playing with other dogs, walking on the beach, and just enjoying the outdoors. I lucked out - he seems to love people and dogs, and is just a great dog all around. I can't believe that anyone could have let him go, but it's my good fortune.

My sister had a baby!!! William Harper Hanson was born last week, and I can't wait to meet him at the end of June!!!!!!!

I think that's about all I can write for the moment. Looking at this post has made it clear to me that I need to dedicate a separate post for almost each item of interest here, and that is a daunting task. Hopefully I'm up for it.

More time-worthy posts are forthcoming....