spring/winter/summer/winter... all in the last week

Sorry I missed doing this last week. So here has been what has been happening. LOTS of weather changes from high 60s to 13 inches of snow to snow melting to more snow predicted. In the middle has been work, hiking, making clifford shirts to keep him from scratching open a persistant wound etc etc. Last night we had a party instead of going camping thanks to the blizzard storm in spring dumping 13 inches in our path. It was mellow but we got rid of some chocolate which was good. In fact it was my first day to eat chocolate in 1 month. I did well with my food and exercise diary and lost 8# and gained lots o muscle... My buttocks now is not on the floor anymore and I feel much better in and out of clothes again. I love being in shape and wish I could just hike several hours every day. It would make me MUCH happier! In fact Clifford and I are supposed to go hiking today to find a bike cemetary (about 2 hours out) and we are just waiting for our friend to wake up so she can show us how to get there... I will try to include a picture if we get there. OBVIOUSLY we went... had a GREAT hike and both of us are happily limping and resting after the long hike. It was REALLY nice with AWESOME views and a great conversation with a great friend!
More of the same until Brad and I go to strawberry (yosemeti) at the end of May. Ken, Holly and the whole Adnan Gang will be staying at our place when we go which will be nice (except we will be bummed to miss them)...
Hope you all are happy and healthy!... Lots o love! Kim

Back to Spring

Spring is back. The snow is brown and soft and the sun is out... Clifford and I have been on many hikes and he does well for about 2 hours but if you hike him for 3 hours he gets VERY stiff and limps. Not bad for just about 4 months after surgery. I am on day 19 of my no chocolate, eating healthy and working out routine and am feeling SIGNIFICANTLY better and down over 5# while building good muscle! I could likely stop now but want to keep it up for a month and then lighten up a little. It is amazing how quickly I felt healthier and looked better.

Brad is still having a hard time adjusting to the time change and only sleeping about 3 hours at a time at night. It is frustrating for him but will work itself out this week (likely).

This next week at work will be busy since Dewayne is on vacation and that is a bummer since I really like working with him. But I will go into it rested which is good. We are still trying to hire someone else to come work with us but having a hard time with recruiting. I hear that is the case everywhere and soon the national shortage will be in full swing. Oh well.

Went to a party at the Silver Lining Ranch for a friend's 40th bday this weekend. It was odd to be back there and it looks unchanged. I am still sad about the fact that it is not being used for it's original intent. It appears it is under contract to be sold as a single family home with SLR being able to use it for the next 5 years and then they are gone... however, the city has to agree on changing the zoning and they are not sure that will happen. I still think it should go to a non-profit that works with kids like Challange Aspen but it is not likely. It was however nice to be there and think of the good things that happened there in the past. I also was at the Deaf Camp working on their stuff this weekend... They now have a new director who is really wonderful so we will see how this summer goes!

Hope you are all well...

Lots of love, Kim

Enough Already!

OK, this picture says it all! I had to shovel 2x yesterday and all I want is to go hiking... in shorts and good weather! Instead I am trekking through tons of snow in my one-piece! At least I had my home; 2 friends of mine were back country and had to stay in the blizzard in a snow cave for 2 nights! They are fine and warming up. Work has been busy. I have been doing well on my yearly food/exercise diary and feel in much better shape and lost some weight already. Brad has sent information on the internet and he is having a spectacular time in Japan. Here is some of what he had to say... "Very full days starting with morning classes at 6:30am. Staying at this great hot springs hotlel about 20 min. away from the dojo. Visited Nachi Water fall today. Honhgu shrine yesterday. Seminar with Doshu begins tomorrow. Exhausted but having a great time.... We are back in Shingu. Japanese shyugyu (hard practice) continues. Last few days the beds (HAH!) were very hard but we could sleep in. Now we are back on very comfortable beds but must get up at 5:15 for morning class. Have had an amazing past few days. Hongu is really beautiful and very magical. The air is thick with Kami (spirits)!... Dinner with Anno Sensie tonight. Very big deal. Very few are afforded this kind of close contact with him. We are going to a 500 year old eel restaurant - one of his favorites. Those who know me know this will be a special challenge for me! Now off to another great bath! ... "Oh WOW!" moments - we wind up staying at this 400 year old Buddist temple. So freakin' cool! We're in the big city now (Kyoto) but it's all "outside" of the temple walls.

Meanwhile we're safe and peaceful inside.... " He is back Monday night and I am sure I will hear more. Hope you are all well and enjoying your adventures! Love and Peace, Kim