A Place to Live

Hello Folks,

Sorry for the delay in posting again but life has been hectic here - a good thing. At work I am preparing for the June Music Festival, helping friends plan a zillion weddings in CA, recruiting new clients for the consulting firm, and becoming much more social.

I have made huge headway in my weight loss - the loss is now over 200 and headed down the home stretch - will see the Dr. in 2 weeks and we will talk about when the "skin" surgery will be.

Walking miles a day - and loving it all. Summer has hit Albuquerque and its wonderful.

The rest of this post will be pictures of the progress of the back yard. The spa went in yesterday and I have already soaked a bit - its wonderful. The water feature will go in next week and plantings begin the end of next week. Enjoy the pics and I hope this finds you all well.

Hugs - Chuck

This and That

Good Morning Possums,

Don't ya miss Dame Edna - time for another concert tour.

Life is moving on quickly on this end of the world and its fun. Spent part of yesterday seeing Cirque du Soleil - one I had not seen - Saltanbanco - it was, of course, delightful. Hans had never seen a Cirque - and now he cannot wait to see the next one - magical as usual.

I guess the big news of the week is the court ruling in California - thank God there is an intelligent group of judges - this group even headed by a conservative Republican finally realized that marriage is a right of all Americans - not just the blessed. The court, in an unusually evolved decision said: "affording same-sex couples only a separate and differently named family relationship will, as a realistic matter, impose appreciable harm on same-sex couples and their children, because denying such couples access to the familiar and highly favored designation of marriage is likely to cast doubt on whether the official family relationship of same sex couples enjoys dignity equal to that of of opposite-sex couples, [. . . and] assigning a different designation for the family relationship of same sex couples . . . poses at least a serious risk of denying the family relationship of same-sex couples such equal dignity and respect."

How about that - an arm of this government - a 6-1 Republican majority on the court has decided that we are all people and have the same rights to happiness. There is hope folks.

We are in the planning stages for a trip to San Francisco at the end of June for Pride - its been years since I was able to attend the parade and will once again host Chuck's A List Parade Party. It is assured to be a good time for everyone - come join us.

Exciting news - my wonderful niece is preggers - Jeff and Melissa and the boys will be welcoming a new member of the family and everyone is thrilled. Now I get to shop for a little baby again. We all wish Melissa luck and an easy journey.

After my return from San Francisco its puppy time. Will be making a journey to Denver to chose a Labradoodle puppy to joining the family. And yes - for all of those of you asking if I have enough patience to raise a puppy - I do. This surgical journey has taught me a lot of patience - I still don't tolerate squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle, drivers who are not smart enough to use a turning signal, and someone who talks on the cell phone while eating dinner with a date but I will be an amazing father to a little puppy. Trust that there will be pictures galore on the blog when she comes home.

Speaking of pictures - here are two more from Hawaii. A beach I found by accident and the amazing blacksand the beach was made from.

Hugs- and blessings - Chuck

A Return from Heaven

I walked nearly a mile to see this waterfall in Hawaii - and the fact that I was still smiling when I got there is amazing. I am truely making progress like you wouldnt believe.

The trip was amazing - just amazing. Not sure I would do it alone again - but the scenery was breathtaking - and I did what I had hoped to do - nothing. I sat by the pool, walked, did the spa - 2 full days - walked on the beach - black sand - amazing.

The food was outstanding - the weather perfect. Who knows - I may have one more move left in me.

I did get to see the volcano - and it was about to "erupt" and did close some resorts and they had to evacuate a little town the day after I was there. I chickened out about the helecoptor - not sure I am ready for that.

I was blown away by how rural the big island is and I cannot wait to go back.

The rest of my life? WOW is the only good word. I have passed the 180 pound mark and am very close to a place I havent been in so many years I even forget - weighing in the 200's. Should be there in about 3 weeks. By my Dr. appointment is June I will have lost 200 pounds.

I feel wonderful - the vacation did wonders. I am starting back to the trainer this week (tonight acutally) and he is going to work on my arms ad shoulders - there is lots of saggy skin that we are going to try to do something about - yikes. Someday in the next 9 months I will do surgery again to get rid of the midsection - and when the lotto comes my way - will do the cosmetic part, arms, legs, face lift - lol - I promise not to look like Joan Rivers or Bruce Jenner.

Here are a few more pictures from the trip. I hope to do a little slide show soon - and will make it available on here if I can figure out how to do it.

Blessings all - Chuck

A view from my room.

---->>>> A waterfall in Hilo

The volcano

WOW