...in posting on any of my blogs. We were quite busy these last few months, though. Since I last wrote on here my father passed away; our son went south to spend some time with my mother, so she wouldn't be alone for the holidays (including what would have been my parents' 49th anniversary in mid-December); we moved from Woodland, Washington (YES! AT LAST!) to Beaverton, Oregon; my wife and I have wrestled with several injuries and illnesses; I moved from the ICU at the Portland VA Hospital up to the Surgical Ward; and a partridge in a pear tree...
Things are finally sorting themselves out. The move was very costly, but has put us in a better position: its a much better house, but costs less per month, and shortened my commute from about 70 miles roundtrip to about 24 miles (or 13 if I carpool with a friend in her car). Additionally, my VA Disability payments increased and my health care is now completely covered. We're closer to friends, and the things we like here in the Portland area. We love the house and the property (its on about two-third's of an acre, with mature fruit trees, shade trees and conifers, as well as some (overgrown) woodland landscaping. The lilacs and rhododendrons should be pretty this year. The shift at work has reduced the wear-and-tear on my back, while making me more active, so I have lost close to 20 pounds in about 3 months.
I did find time to enter the 2010 Chocolate Adventure Contest with three separate entries, so I am eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting word on the winners, which is coming soon (I think...lol). We've been cooking, and exploring local food haunts. I enjoy writing, and have realized the lifestyle I'd like to have has that as an important facet, so will be much more active on my blogs from here on out.
