Long Overdue Update

I'm so sorry, faithful blog readers, that I've been so long in updated. I have received so many emails asking me what's wrong because there haven't been any posts in awhile. Many apologies! Nothing is wrong. Everything is fine and great, actually. We've just been busy beyond belief and there simply hasn't been time for anything extra. I'll try to catch you up and do better!

So, here's what's new:

-Weight loss continues to go well and i'm proud to say that i've now lost almost 120 pounds, which is about 5 pounds more than my interim goal. So, i've started back onto regular foods now, having gone through the slow transition of reintroducing things. The timing was just how i planned, just in time for the Bar Mitzvah week and weekend. It has been wonderful to be able to eat real food, but I'm being very careful to keep within my calorie budget. I worked way too hard to lose the weight to let it get out of control. I still look and feel terrific. My plan is to still lose another 30-40 in maintenance by contiuing to keep my calorie intake low, using the plan's shakes and entrees to help me do that (but still eating regular foods as well) and of course continuing the high amounts of exercise. I'm really pleased with how i've done and continue to do. And shopping for Bar Mitzvah clothes was so fun! Now i have new bras, new underwear (too much information?) and 3 new gorgeous dresses. everything else is still kinda big, but i'm not ready for a whole new wardrobe... yet.

-Work is good. i'm really enjoying this project i'm working on. once the bar mitzvah is over, i will be spending some time completing it and then... better sit down for this one b/c it might shock you... i'm planning on trying to work even more to bring me up to almost full time (but still flexible of course.) Believe it or not, this bad economy should be a good one for obtaining independent contracting business because small firms will still have work but might not want people on their regular payroll. Hiring me as an independent contractor is a win-win situation for both of us -- flexible for me (and i can say no to work if i want or need to) and they will have some qualified to do work, but can also avoid paying benefits and can just say they don't have work if they don't.

-kids are doing great. They're on spring break, which is nice. we're trying to intermingle some fun things in with bar mitzvah prep and we'll be doing some fun things with relatives next week. they seem to be having fun helping with decorations, etc. (esp Harrison of course) and Patti and Brian bought them Rockband 2 so they have been playing with that a ton! it's noisy, but keeps them happy. They are still busy with their activities (life doesn't pause just b/c we have a big bar mitzvah coming up!) and Harrison was excited to be selected to go on the middle school honor trip for a week to Catalina in May (it's an educational thing.)

-Of course i saved the biggest thing for last...the bar mitzvah. I can't believe that we are one week away. where does the time go? i remember when we first got the date assigned to us.... almost 3 years ago! Harrison is completely ready from the religious standpoint and we couldn't be more proud. the rest is coming together. So much to be done. it has helped that he is on break and he has been VERY hands on in the planning of this. very, very helpful and he and i have been having a really good time doing everything. we've had a lot of laughs as we do things like listen to itunes to select songs for things and make centerpieces. he isn't worried at all about his hebrew and leading the service... he's just worried about getting it all done. Our event isn't "over the top..." really it isn't... but it will seem like that because of all the little touches that we're doing. It's going to be fabulous. If it was just a matter of planning the actual bar mitzvah party, it would be a piece of cake. What's hard is that we're having two parties (lunch and dinner) plus other events that weekend like a passover seder, brunch at our house, etc. family is being so kind as to host different things, but it's just a matter of coordinating it all. harrison asks me every hour or so if we can cross another thing off the list of things to do! I've had a lot of help here and there from friends and I know it will all get done.

ok, this turned into a far longer post that i intended and i must go. it's 11:30 and I want to get an early start to the day and be very productive, so i need to sleep!

More later.