tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35021278805369051552024-03-13T13:36:55.527-07:00Space RobotsJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-50233658581030618882023-05-19T13:22:00.003-07:002023-05-19T13:22:38.117-07:0040 years of cats<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">We’ve always had cats in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got married 40 years ago and within
months of being married we got our first cat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back then you could look in the paper for free
pet ads and we responded to one out on a farm and picked out this little orange
tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got his sex wrong at first and
named him Tina until the vet told us otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, we named him Merlin because Chris was reading Mary Stewart books at
the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the first few years of
marriage, we moved from place to place, and he was used to riding in a U-Haul
or car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would sleep in the seat next
to us and love going for a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used
to roughhouse with him a lot and taught him to play rough, so he tended to be a
bit aggressive to people who didn’t know him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We even taught him to play catch with wadded up paper balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
lived to almost 20 and I swear the last few years were because of the love he
felt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our 2<sup>nd</sup> cat Muffy was a beautiful grey Persian we
rehomed as an adult a few years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
never really liked Merlin, but they got along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She got out once and got pregnant and had a single kitten litter in our
closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave the calico kitten to
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next cat that came into our lives Chris brought home
from work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was found at the side of
the road and the vet said she might not make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got her cleaned up and defleaed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a tear in one of her eyes the
probably happened from a fight, but she seemed to see ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We named
her Maddie after Cybill Shepard’s character on Moonlighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merlin was getting a little older when she
came into our lives, and it was like she knew he needed a friend to play with
and she made him act like a kitten again. Those two loved to play and run
around the house together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muffy on the other hand did not like having
another female cat in the house and never like having her around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muffy would pee on the floor outside the
litterbox all the time just to let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After we had lost Merlin and Muffy to kidney disease we were
down to just Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while she was
going through her failing kidney’s and getting weekly fluids at the vet, they
had a cage in the lobby with a small grey female and a back and white male
named Dorie and Mason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mason would come
to the cage and all he wanted was for you to pet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sister was timid and hid in the
corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sign on the cage said Free:
Dorie and Mason must take them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
told Chris about them and asked if she wanted to meet them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said ‘just bring them home” so I
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a challenge dealing with 2 kittens and an aging pet
in the house, but we managed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once Dorie
and Mason got a little older, we had the next cat come into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our annual Halloween season a stray
black and white tuxedo started showing up on the patio and would hang with us
by the fireplace and sleep on a blanket we left for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the season was over, I just let him
into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was grateful to have a warm place to sleep
and food and water always available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
named him Hal (short for Halloween Cat).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The following spring, we went on a trip while our house was on a garden
tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris’ sister was watching the
house when our neighbors came by and saw Hal, but they called him Abe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, they were feeding him too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little moocher was going back and forth
between houses until someone let him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hal came into my life when I got laid off and took a year off, so I was
home all the time with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I treated
him like a dog, and he would follow me around and come when I called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would sit near me and hang out with me in
the shop even with loud power tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since he had survived on his own in the neighborhood, we were
comfortable letting him outside during the day (he stayed inside at night).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the only cat we let go outside because
we would stay close, and he let you know when he wanted back in. Shortly after
Hal had been living with us we lost Maddie but for a short while we had 4 cats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Hal was 13, we noticed him wincing when
we jumped up on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took him to
the vet, and they did an ultrasound and found he had cancer with several tumors
internally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a week he was
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First and last time we will ever
have an at home service.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After losing Hal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
lost Dorie a few years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had several
medical issues throughout her life that we dealt with and in the end of her
life, we lost her at home in a tragic and unfortunate way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With just Mason left at home by himself we
thought we should get him some younger cats to lift his spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a brother/sister pair of beautiful
tabby’s online named Toaster and Strudel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just knew they were for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we found out that Strudel had got sick while
in the kennel and was being treated at a vet. Until he was cleared to come home,
we couldn’t adopt them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took a few weeks
but Toaster fully recovered, and we adopted them both and brought them
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toaster and Strudel did not get
along with Mason right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a
long time for them to stop hissing at each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never became good friends, which made us
feel bad about our decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the “kittens” got older and Mason started
to age they pretty much left him alone and in the end he just wanted to hang
with us and wanted nothing to do with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mason slowly started to get pickier
and pickier about eating food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
totally healthy but just didn’t feel like eating and then one day he just
stopped eating and after several weeks of agonizingly watch him wither away to
nothing we knew it was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Losing
that loving cat was tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are down to just two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there will be more cats in our lives
in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now, we are just
going to settle down with Toaster and Strudel for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a wild 40yrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-41841515601225893032019-06-25T09:52:00.002-07:002019-06-25T09:52:47.946-07:00Wow? 5yrs? what have I been doing?I haven't posted on here in over 5 years? Really? Facebook has been my main source of life sharing info.<br />
<br />
Let's see.<br />
<br />
2015 - Went to New Orleans for a Haunt convention<br />
2016 - Lost a dear friend to suicide. <br />
2017 - Gained a bunch of weight<br />
2018 - built a huge chapel for the halloween display<br />
2019 - Lost 130 pounds again and changed my eating and healthy lifestyle<br />
<br />
Maybe I can post more often from now on?<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-33620835531366027752014-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:002014-10-16T15:18:05.305-07:00Has it been a year already?A lot has happened over the past year. We coasted through Halloween. Did a Haunt Convention in January in Houston, TX. Did another one in May here in Portland. I lost my job in July and became employed in September. Chris was out of work over the summer from her part time job. We had some very difficult financial issues. I gained a LOT of weight back and stopped exercising and eating right.<br />
<br />
But things have started looking good this month. I weighed in at 317lbs in September. I started my fasting again and am down to 297 right now. My plan is to continue fasting through the rest of the year with a few breaks and get down to 250lbs. 13 weeks in total. My theory is that if I just fasted 2-3 weeks every 3-4 months I wouldn't be in this spot. <br />
<br />
But now with the full time job which comes with a 20 mile commute each way and a day spent in a cube. We are getting caught up financially and I am starting my fasting routine in a very controlled environment. I even have a nice 1 mile paved trail I can walk each way for lunch. I hope to back to my low weight by Christmas time. <br />
<br />
At 900 cal a day with 1hr walk a day starting at 317 on 9/29/16 here is the plan<br />
<br />
10/16/14 298.1818<br />
10/23/14 292.5094<br />
10/30/14 286.9791<br />
11/06/14 281.5874<br />
11/13/14 276.3308<br />
11/20/14 271.206<br />
11/27/14 266.2096<br />
12/04/14 261.3384<br />
12/11/14 256.5893<br />
12/18/14 251.9592<br />
12/25/14 247.4451<br />
Goal Weight of 247.4451 lbs reached on 12/25/14 in 11 weeks<br />
Average Loss 5 lbs/week<br />
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I have a couple of exceptions for my fast though. I am going to eat and have some rum at the Halloween party on October 25th. I am also going out to dinner with Chris for our anniversary on Nov 2nd. Chris and I are going to Woodenville, WA for a weekend away on her birthday Nov 15th and also to Dundee, OR for Thanksgiving Nov 27-30. I'll try to eat low calorie and fruits and veggies only on those dates so I don't through myself off too much. </div>
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We'll see what happens. </div>
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Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-18082648059070804432013-09-23T09:58:00.001-07:002013-09-23T09:58:11.265-07:00Weight loss thoughtsI'm winding down on my 8 week fast to loose the pounds I put back on 6 months after my big loss. Been doing some soul searching on what works and doesn't with weight loss and me. Trying to come up with life changes I can incorporate to me life.<br />
<br />
Three rules to live by.<br />
<br />
1. Don't be afraid to go back to whatever you did to loose weight before. Just because you gained weight doesn't mean you can't loose it again.<br />
<br />
2. Weigh yourself often. At least once a week. Never go longer than 2 weeks or a month. 2 or 3 times a week if you have to. If you have to deal with weight issues you should get to know how often your weight goes up and down and what causes it.<br />
<br />
3. Maintain some sort of physical activity. You don't have to call it exercise or go to the gym. Just do something that gets you moving every week. Some great advice I got from a friend is the best exercise is the one you will do. <br />
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The rest is just details. My life long goal is to be a weight loss master. Someone who can look back many years later and say I lost the weight and have never gained it back.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-20671042548330475112013-08-27T09:31:00.003-07:002013-08-27T09:31:47.831-07:00Where the heck did summer go?So I just read my last post talking about the start of summer...and now it is just about over.<br />
<br />
We've had several workshops, Tombstones, Casting, Columns & Fencing, and foam texturing. All of them fun yet a little time consuming.<br />
<br />
We've worked on a new Celtic Cross and some crypt walls for the graveyard. We started setting up the Abbey for some new changes. We are working on a new comment box figure for the year.<br />
<br />
We have started going rollerskating on a weekly basis. We try to walk 3-4 times a week if we can. <br />
<br />
During it all I have gained some weight. Eating too much and snacking mostly. I got on the scale a few weeks ago and was up to 289lbs. So I decided to go back on the liquid fast. I'm going to do it for 8 weeks so I can get back to my goal weight of 245. Sort of pushing the reset button while I still can. I'm on week 2 with only 6 weeks to go. I'm already down to 272. I realize now I should have started this a few weeks ago before things really got out of hand. I'm now thinking that fasting for 2-3 weeks might be a normal thing for me every 4 months or so. After the winter and during the beginning of summer. Both slow times for me and good times to take a break from food. <br />
<br />
Although I've gained some weight over the past 6 months I feel I have made some significant changes in my lifestyle. I am more active. I have changed the way I eat and what I eat. I have a few problem foods (bags of chips, and cheese and crackers) but mostly I enjoy more healthy snacks. The issue is really in quantity. Chris and I even split meals when going out. Just need to be more diligent and ease up on the excess. <br />
<br />
I am determined to be a weight loss master and want to be able to say years from now that I lost 150lbs and kept it off.<br />
<br />
Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-51781718820790273132013-06-17T09:45:00.001-07:002013-06-17T09:45:25.161-07:00Summer is about to startI can't believe it has been 2 months since my last post? I helped with the HAuNTcon convention in Dallas, TX the end of April and then put on the West Coast Haunters Convention the end of May. Those took a lot out of me and put on several pounds in the process. <br />
<br />
Now summer is starting and it is exactly one year ago that I started on my weight loss program. I weighed 408lbs when I started last year now I am at 272lbs. My goal is to get below 260lbs by the end of summer. I was at 245lbs at the end of my fasting in February. <br />
<br />
Summer is always filled with Workshops from the graveyard on Saturdays in between working on our own projects that need to be done. We want to attend the Oregon Renaissance Fair and the Tiki Convention this summer as well. Lots to look forward to and do. Going to try to do lots of walking each week and watch how much and what I eat and stay healthy while I enjoy the summer. Will post more updates as they happen.<br />
Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-33571235959370096582013-03-06T09:54:00.001-08:002013-03-06T09:54:33.437-08:0050th Birthday in Disneyland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I couldn't have asked for a better time on my 50th birthday. I had planned this trip months after starting my weight loss program. I figured it would be nice reward to myself for losing all the weight and a great way to celebrate my 50th birthday making myself feel young. </div>
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We arrived Sunday evening and checked into the Disneyland Hotel around 7pm. We got dressed up and headed to Disneyland for Dapper Day. We rode the Monorail into Disneyland and met up with some friends and then grabbed a bite to eat. Then we took off and road the Carousel with the other peopled dressed up. Then off to the submarine ride I hadn't seen since it was updated. Then we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion a few times. We caught a glimpse or two of the Fantasmia show on the water. We headed to Trader Sam's after the park closed at 11pm and had drinks at the after party for Dapper Day with friends.</div>
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We spent all Day Monday at California Adventure. We got in the park 1hr early because we were staying at the Resort hotels. We walked through the Grand Hotel into the park and got in line for Radiator Springs Racers Fast Pass so we could ride them right away. We spent the day getting fast passes for the popular rides and riding others that were not busy. It was a great day.</div>
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Tuesday was my birthday so we spent the day at Disneyland getting there 1hr early. I went to City Hall and got my Birthday Pin. I wasn't sure what to expect but people told me I had to get it. Turns out it was a LOT of fun. Everyone saying Happy Birthday to me all day! We had breakfast at the Carnation Cafe and I got a free ice cream with a candle! Had a great day ending having dinner at Blue Bayou restaurant at the Pirates ride. </div>
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Wednesday we went back to California Adventure and rode the rides we missed and had dinner at the Napa Rose at the Resort Hotel. We sat at the Chef's table and had a custom vegetarian meal with red wine flights. We had such a good time we made reservations for dinner the next night. </div>
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Thursday we met our friend Cliff at the park (he works at Disney) and spent the day with him doing things we didn't get to on Tuesday. By the end of the day I had almost everything checked off my list. We had lunch at Carthay Restaurant at California Adventure and road Tower of Terror with our friend Cliff (he works the ride). We spent the end of the day at Disneyland and then had dinner at Napa Rose which was fantastic. </div>
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Friday we checked out of the Hotel and met our friend Cliff's wife Jen at the park (she works there too) and she spent the morning with us shopping at the park and hanging out. Then we finished the list of things we wanted to do and left the park at 4pm to head to the airport. Before leaving we got to see a show at the Horseshoe Review and the Voices of Liberty at Mr Lincoln. </div>
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We ate pretty healthy most of the time with some indulgences along the way when we wanted to. We did a LOT of walking all day and had a GREAT time. Best 50th birthday I could ever asked for.</div>
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-25370848469056362092013-02-20T12:10:00.001-08:002013-02-20T12:11:53.476-08:00Officially in weight maintenance mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am now officially in maintenance mode with my weight. As expected I gained a few pounds returning to eating normally again. I weighed in last week at 251 (up 6lbs from my low 245 last day of fasting). I have been walking 3-4 times a day for 3-4 miles each time. My walking routes have become longer now that I have built up my endurance. Walking for 40-50min in each direction is easy for me and exposes a lot more destinations. There are several great places to walk to from my house now that I can easily go shopping or grab lunch or dinner in all directions. <br />
<br />
I am learning a whole new way to eat. I am paying attention to my hunger and eating much less at a time but more often. I am also choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables as part of my main diet. Having been a vegetarian for 27 years (you'd never know it by my health) I am embracing the lifestyle and choosing to eat healthier than I ever did before. My mantra is that I'm changing everything about how I eat and exercise so that I'll never go back to where I was again.<br />
<br />
I turn 50 next week and will be spending it at Disneyland as a treat to myself for both loosing all the weight and being half a century old. <br />
<br />
My long term goal is to eventually get down to 225lbs over the next few years. I don't know if or when I'll get there but for 2013 I plan to continue to walk and eat healthy and loose weight over time. <br />
<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-65224797181602627152013-01-15T08:39:00.001-08:002013-02-20T12:12:34.617-08:00Latest Weight Loss update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week I officially started my 4 week transition back to eating food. It is one week of continuing to drink the 5 shakes a day (I do one of them as soup and the other as as a pudding at night so really only drink 3 a day) and 1 serving (1 cup) of vegetables. The 2nd week I continue with the shakes and add another serving of vegetables the first part of the week and a fruit serving (1 cup or piece) the latter part of the week. The 3rd week reduce my shakes to 4 a day and I add an entree each day and mid week I add another vegetable serving and a fruit serving for a total of 3 vegetable and 2 fruit servings a day. On the 4th week I reduce to 2 shakes a day and add a 2nd entree a day. By the 5th week I discontinue the shakes and am officially on maintenance.<br />
<br />
I weighed in at 246 this week (6lbs from my goal). I will continue to loose weight during these 4 weeks and should be under 246 by next month. <br />
<br />
Now the real challenge starts. I want to keep up my walking 4-5 times a day. Change my eating habits to continue with the 3 vegetable and 2 fruit servings a day and keep my total calorie intake down to a maintainable level.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-56623298179323598762012-12-27T10:16:00.001-08:002012-12-27T10:16:32.999-08:00Weight Loss milestone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I weighed in the other day at 256lbs. I officially lost over 150lbs and got another ribbon. I am 16lbs away from goal of 240lbs. I started this process on June 11th 2012. <br />
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I am only a few weeks away from starting to introduce food back into my diet. The transition phase takes 4 weeks. Then I will be eating a balanced low calorie diet the rest of my life. Reducing the amount I eat by consuming less and choosing foods that are healthier and lower in calories.<br />
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I'll continue to loose weight during the transition and plan to stick to a lower calorie diet throughout the year to maintain the weight loss. I have a couple of areas I want to focus on as part of my life long goal of keeping the weight off.<br />
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1. Eat less. No matter what the food (no such thing as bad or taboo food). The less healthy the food the less I should eat of it. Don't eat more calories a day that I need to maintain.<br />
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2. Change the proportions of what I eat. Mostly vegetables and fruits with protein based foods and very little carbs or sugars. I've been a vegetarian for over 26 years its about time I eat like one. <br />
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3. Stay active. Walk mostly at least 4 to 5 times a week. Do things that get me moving. <br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-91075417939772003202012-12-11T10:24:00.004-08:002012-12-11T10:24:52.447-08:00Another Weight Loss update and thoughts.I weighed in the other day at my weekly doctor checkup. It has officially been 6 months since I started. I began this adventure at 408lbs and just weighed in at 263lbs. I set my goal at 240lbs so I only have 23lbs more to loose. Another 5lbs and I will have lost 150lbs. But more exiting is that my body fat percentage was 38% and now it is 21% (normal range is 22-11%). My hydration level was 46% and is now 57% (desirable value is anything above 60%). I'm really pleased with my progress so far. I'm a little behind where I thought I'd be right now but the body does what it wants and all you can do is deal with it. I have a self imposed deadline to be eating normally by the 3rd week in February so when I take my Disneyland trip I a can just eat what I want during the trip and not have to pack shakes or have special food choices (I do enough of that being vegetarian). I'll probably be fasting for another 4-6 weeks. Then I transition to eating food during the next 4 weeks and then maintain a daily calorie level and exercise program that I can maintain the rest of my life. In fact my goal for 2013 is to loose more weight so I am down to 225lbs by 2014 and then keep to that weight the rest of my life. <br />
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As I look back on this adventure I put myself on over the 6 months I think about how long it took me to get to 410lbs and how quickly and easily it was to loose it all. I am also amazed each day of this process how much I have missed the qualities of life that being a normal healthy weight brings you and how you forget them and don't value them enough when you are heavy. Things like...<br />
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Being able to tie your shoes easily.<br />
Bending over with ease.<br />
Walking up stairs or carrying something without being out of breath.<br />
Sleeping soundly without snoring and waking up throughout the night.<br />
Having more energy than you know what to do with.<br />
Fitting into clothes that you just buy at any store.<br />
Being able to sit in booths at restaurants.<br />
Being able to fit comfortably in an airplane seat without asking for a seat belt extension.<br />
Theater seats that feel comfortable and chairs with arms that don't cut into my legs.<br />
Having plenty of room in the car to put the armrest down.<br />
Realizing that 2-3 miles of a walk is no trouble at all.<br />
Wanting to walk to the store to buy one item instead of driving less than a mile.<br />
Walking the neighborhood and exploring where I live.<br />
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If anyone out there wants to add this list to the things they want out of life I am living proof that it can happen. I'm not a health nut and can't stand going to the gym or lifting weights. I don't eat well (although I did made a choice a LONG time ago to be vegetarian). This process isn't complicated and it works. If you need to loose a lot of weight and want to change your life and you can spend 4-7 months not eating and doing little travel it is worth the results.<br />
Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-2009772905896281112012-11-08T10:10:00.000-08:002012-11-08T10:10:27.511-08:00Latest weight loss newsIt has been 21 weeks. I am down to 280lbs and counting. I have lost over 128lbs so far. I recently got my 125lb pound ribbon which is my 5th 25lb ribbon in total so far. I have 40lbs more to go to my goal which will include another 150lb ribbon and a final goal reaching ribbon. Then it is on to maintenance and a life of keeping it off. <br />
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I can't tell you how different I feel. It is almost like living in someone else's body. None of my old clothes fit and each day I am discovering new things I can fit into. I notice little things about myself now that I never noticed before. I was sitting on the couch and looked down to see a "real" lap. One that the cats can sleep on and a sloping L shape from my thighs to my chest that I hardly recognize. Don't even get me started on my energy levels and my sleep and rest. I feel I could take on any challenge that comes my way after this achievement. <br />
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The next 8 to 10 weeks are going to be the toughest as I start to loose my resolve for this fasting routine but I am determined to make my goal weight and even more determined to spend the rest of my life keeping it off. <br />
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Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-68930797230530642402012-10-05T10:09:00.002-07:002012-10-05T10:09:16.767-07:00Weight Loss milestoneLast week I got my 100lb ribbon. I weighed in at 303lbs after 16 weeks. I get one of these after every 25lbs lost. Looking forward to my 125lb and 150lb ribbon in the months to come.<br />
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Going to have a little celebration next week when I should officially weigh less than 300lbs. My goal fo 240lbs is getting closer and closer.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-11839273360969343282012-08-28T14:25:00.002-07:002012-08-28T14:25:27.609-07:00Weight Loss updateI'm working on week 12 of my 28 week program. I have lost 78lbs so far. Which seems like a LOT but if you need to loose 170lbs it isn't even half way. But I'm already feeling the difference. The fasting with 5 shakes a day is getting easier and easier to do. I am enjoying the new found energy and restful nights. My overall well being is much happier than it has been in many years. I don't know why it takes something drastic like this to make me realize what I have been missing. I'm really looking forward to the final results. My goal is to continue to fast until I am at 240lbs or under 22% body fat. I'd like to continue to work on weight loss once I start eating again and try to get to 230lbs or maybe a bit less by just watching my diet and continue with my daily walks.<br />
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My other big goal is to keep the weight off. This is actually the hardest part and the part I am most nervous about. I don't want to slip back into old eating habits and truly want to change my lifestyle and live the next decade a healtheir person. One of the benefits of being average weight is being able to pay for normal health insurance and life insurance without being denied or turned down. The next 10 years are going to be interesting.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-86869982998849886192012-08-09T08:01:00.002-07:002012-08-09T08:01:56.563-07:00Losing more weightI'm into week 9 now on my 28 week liquid fast weight loss program. I've lost over 60lbs. I'm down to 345 from 408. I still have 100lbs to go but it is getting closer. Only 19 weeks to go to reach my goal weight of 240. Once I reach that weight or my body mass analysis says that I am below 22% body fat I'll start the 12 week maintenance process to start eating again. My long term goal is to try to loose even more weight once I start eating normal food again through just careful diet and my walking. <br />
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I've decided what I want to do for my birthday and as a reward for the weight loss. We are going to take a trip to Disneyland. Stay at the Disneyland hotel and visit the park for 5 days. I haven't been to Disneyland since we left California in 1988. The last time I stayed at the Disney Hotel was when I was 10 in 1973. I am looking forward to spending my 50th birthday there.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-81272406329819515312012-07-10T10:05:00.001-07:002012-07-10T10:05:25.505-07:0033 Pounds and countingIt is the start of week 5 on my 28 week fast. I am down 33 pounds with only 135 to go. 23 week seems like such a long time to be doing this still. I try to think that at 5 weeks I am only 9 weeks away from half way. So far no bumps in the road. I'm just taking it one day at a time. <br />
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One of the unexpected things is that I am really enjoying my walks each night with Chris. We walk in our neighborhood for 30-45 minutes. Gives a chance to talk about stuff. It is very relaxing and goes by really fast. I look forward to them every day. We only are doing it on weekdays since our weekends are booked with busy halloween stuff.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-50430040097604035822012-06-25T08:35:00.004-07:002012-06-25T08:37:24.164-07:00Losing weight....again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A while ago I stepped on the scale and saw that I was over 410lbs. I knew I needed to do something but life had been busy. I vowed that this summer I'd do something about it. I'd been here before. When I was 30 I weighed 360lbs and I went on a medically supervised weight loss program and got down to 235lbs. I gained it back and more 7 years later and did the fast again and got back down to 240lbs. Now that I am 49 and even heavier now I am again going on the very low calorie diet. It is a tough program to go through but you loose the weight faster and it keeps you motivated and there is an achievable goal in sight. <br />
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This time I want to get down to 240 and keep it off and in fact spend the rest of my life loosing some more and maintaining a healthy weight as I get older. I'm going to try to be more active and completely change my eating habits and choices. <br />
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So as of June 11th I am on a 5 shake per day diet (900 calories). I drink 2 quarts of water a day and try to walk 30-45min 5 times a week. I'll stay on this routine until the end of the year sometime in December and then take 12 weeks to reintroduce food back into my diet. <br />
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The best way to handle this is one day at a time, one week at a time, one pound at a time.<br />
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I'm already down to 382. Only 142 more to go.<br />
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<br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-30110810578315858762012-04-17T10:25:00.003-07:002012-04-17T10:50:26.232-07:00Thoughts about life<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYaHGIeLamU/T42tBH8WQfI/AAAAAAAAAQI/gNqCGMCcGZ0/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYaHGIeLamU/T42tBH8WQfI/AAAAAAAAAQI/gNqCGMCcGZ0/s200/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732428135536148978" /></a><br /><span >The art of life is the art of avoiding pain; and he is the best pilot, who steers clearest of the rocks and shoals with which it is beset.</span><div><span >- Thomas Jefferson</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >I am a big fan of American History. I recently watched a HBO mini-series on John Adams and the above quote was spoken by Thomas Jefferson. It sort of rang true to me. I think avoiding pain is more luck than skill but I've spent the better part of my adult life staying out of painful situations. Having lost my mother at an early age (for her and for me) I've unknowingly avoided anything that would cause me to feel that or any pain like it again. But I think Mr. Jefferson had it right. There is an art to avoiding pain which is also a way of life. I've been blessed with only one tragedy in my life so far and no other real trials to speak off. Some would say that makes me soft but I would argue that it makes me happy in life.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-60297723443605447332012-02-26T11:11:00.002-08:002012-02-26T11:18:23.190-08:00Birthday thoughts 2012<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Today is my 49th birthday. I have a simple day planned spending it with a friend and then an evening with my wife.</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">As I sit here and think about my upcoming 50th birthday which I have to say freaks me out just a bit. It will become harder and harder to think of myself as a young boy. But something I thought about is where I was in my life at each turn of a decade.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">In 1973 I was living in Salinas California and turned 10. Probably had a traditional birthday party with cake and presents. I might have a picture of me somewhere.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">In 1983 at 20 I was living off campus in Spokane Washington at Whitworth College. I probably spent the day in classes. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">In 1993 my wife Chris threw me a 30th birthday bash in the back room of Patty's bar and Grill. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">In 2003 for my 40th I was in London with my wife and little brother and his girlfriend at the time. They had bought me a cake and blew up some balloons and </span>decorated<span style="font-size: 100%;"> the flat.</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">So for 2013 who knows what I will be doing or where.</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-90992874245338623112012-02-20T17:50:00.000-08:002012-02-20T18:27:30.426-08:00Unemployed again<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0efluAiQy0E/T0MAlqRsULI/AAAAAAAAAPo/Ga1TmkEdSxM/s1600/job-seeking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0efluAiQy0E/T0MAlqRsULI/AAAAAAAAAPo/Ga1TmkEdSxM/s320/job-seeking.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711409399439577266" /></a><br /><span >Chris was let go from her job back at the end of August. I got laid off mid December. We still haven't found jobs yet. This is the first time in our 28 year marriage that we've both been out of work at the same time. It has been an interesting winter getting used to being around each other 24/7 and learning to cut expenses where we can. </span><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >It is an odd feeling as you approach 50 to be out of work with no clear career goals and not much to show for the past quarter century of employment. Next week is my 49th birthday. My skillset is very outdated and there are no jobs out there for that skill anymore. Time to retrain or find a new career. Neither I thought I'd be doing at my age.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-10726410769387905862011-06-22T11:34:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:52:36.417-07:00My WifeSomeone shared this video today which makes me think of my wife Chris. She often teases me that I don't express how much I care for her as she does for me. The age old woman and man issue I guess? But I have to say that she is my life. I'd do anything for her and love spending time with her. She is my partner in this world and even though sometimes we all need our "me" time I would rather spend time alone with her than with anyone else. My fondest memories as an adult are times spent with her. The love runs deep like a parent and their child. She is a part of me and we are like a single person when together. <div><br /></div><div>If life were like a huge mountain you had to climb where you only reach the top at the end of your life. Where there are some long and some short steep spots, some level spots and even some downhill spots. She is the person I chose to make the journey with me and along the way I have grown fond of her company and got used to having her beside me. She has led the way sometimes. She has encouraged me when I didn't want to go on. We have paused together to take a look around and have never given up. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the video reminds me of her. <div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TW60z25iAIE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-28891420981020237032011-06-20T12:42:00.000-07:002011-06-20T13:01:16.697-07:00My big heartYou know how when kids are born they always say stuff like he has her eyes or she has his ears. I think it is the closest thing to immortality or reincarnation to pass on our genetic traits to our children. I've always thought that even though my mom has been gone from my life and this world for almost 27 years I'll always have a piece of her with me because I inherited her heart. I often forget about this until at the strangest times I am overcome with empathy or emotion for someone or something. As a man I have always tried to hide this trait deep down inside. "Big boys don't cry". Who wants to see a grown man get all emotional over something stupid like a movie, play or live event. It's actually one of the reasons I stay away from music. It often speaks to your heart which is a place I try not to visit too often for fear of looking like a emotional wreck or idiot (same thing really). Don't get me wrong, this compassionate heart of mine doesn't always turn me into a blubbering idiot. Sometimes I just feel it. I can't stand watching the humane society commercials or read or hear about any sort of animal cruelty. I don't like reading or hearing about all the pain and suffering of my fellow humans all over the world. But it isn't just bad stuff. I feel the joy of new parents or newlyweds. Recent graduates from preschool to college. The happiness of family and friends and the sadness of illness or death of any one of them, mine or others. <div><br /></div><div>I've often lamented that the gift of a big heart is a blessing and a curse especially for a guy. But it is a gift from my Mom that I'd never want to loose. So I go on through life figuring out how to deal with it and trying to remember that I'd rather feel too much than nothing at all. </div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-25399686879505829772011-06-02T22:34:00.000-07:002011-06-02T22:40:34.667-07:00ListeningI know I have written about this before. But I am a visual person. I love movies, TV, Theater, video games and just about anything that I can watch with my eyes. I forget sometimes that my wife who is my soul mate and lifelong partner is quite the opposite. She is a listening person. She prefers to hear her entertainment. The way to her heart is through sounds. She is a music fan but not only that but her emotions are affected more by the tone or sound of something than mine are. <div><br /></div><div>Tonight on a whim we decided to go to a local pub we have never been to and listen to a neighbor friend perform his own songs. He is very good and we don't get to see him that often. It was fun sitting just listening to him play. Even better it was what she likes to do which we don't do often enough. I don't know why lack of auditory interest gets so overshadowed by my visual interest but it does. </div><div><br /></div><div>I need to work on that for her sake.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-23731729031087743692011-02-28T09:32:00.000-08:002011-02-28T10:21:04.150-08:00Birthday thoughtsAnother birthday has come and gone. I'm 48, 10 years older than my mother lived. My sister is 46 and my dad is 67 this year. Been married for 28 years this year to the love of my life who was born late in the year after me (didn't have to type her age, smart huh?). Lived in the same house for 22 years. My 30th high school reunion is this year.<div><br /></div><div>Like most of us in my mind I feel as young as I did when I was 20. My body on the other hand says differently. I can see 50 just around the corner and no matter if you are 20,30,or 40 50 seems old. I seems old to 60 and 70 year olds. You just can't pull young off at 50 the generation gap starts to really show at that point.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Wife and I at the beginning of our marriage decided not to have kids. We've spent the better part of our lives together building a home and working. We have traveled some but not as much as others. We have lived for the moment not bothering to save much for a rainy day but we have great memories. We were talking the other day about what we would say to each other if we somehow had to convince one another who we were because we were not recognizable. A memory that only the other would remember. For me it would be so easy. There are so many. I had to give her some examples and then she agreed too. She's always been the forgetful one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both my grandfathers died when they were in their early 70's but both of them had smoking related illnesses. My grandmothers died at 84 and 90 the younger of breast cancer. So I figure I have at least another 30 if not 40 years left in me. Hopefully I can take care my health better than I have so far.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So what does the next 30 years hold? I'm not sure. I wasn't sure what the last 30 did but it has been an interesting ride. In fact I didn't think that much about my future then as I am now. But now I ask questions like...where will I be living, who will I know, where will I be working, what will be my financial situation, and mostly what will Wife and I be doing together then?</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't consider myself a depressed individual. At least not in the clinical way. I'm sure I have the same ups and downs of any normal person. While writing these thoughts down I'm sure it sounds all gloom but I'm always optimistic and hopeful about the future and thankful about the past. Just being a little introspective which doesn't happen that often.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502127880536905155.post-70234066588385907542011-02-10T11:25:00.000-08:002011-02-10T11:27:40.420-08:00Jib Jab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZUMHdV06GeU/TVQ8G1S1TeI/AAAAAAAAANI/8kT5Gy5nSYw/s1600/spacerobot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZUMHdV06GeU/TVQ8G1S1TeI/AAAAAAAAANI/8kT5Gy5nSYw/s320/spacerobot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572144727047097826" /></a><br />Playing around with www.JibJab.com <div> </div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03292058874883119250noreply@blogger.com2