Back in the Saddle

I haven't written in a long time. At least, not up on writing.com. From time to time I've kept sort of a journal - I've written letters to myself when I've had things on my mind and need to sort them out. Seeing my thoughts written on a page helps me to organize my mind and sometimes find solutions to situations that nag at me.
So much has happened in my life over the past number of years - but so many of the things are positive.

The biggest personal change was me losing weight - a lot of weight (almost 80 lbs) and getting fit. It is amazing how this can change so much of a person's life. Not only am I more physically fit, feel great, look so much better, can wear little clothes and everything fits, but more importantly, it's how I feel about me. I has given me a self-confidence and can-do attitude that was missing for so long. Before the weight-loss, it seemed like everything hinged on me losing weight. It was like I was waiting to lose weight before my life could begin. And the best part - that was almost 2 years ago - so I have managed to maintain this loss for 2 years - the longest ever in my life!
Truthfully, it wasn't as much about losing weight as it was changing a lifestyle.
This new lifestyle now includes exercise and lots of physical activity - such as walking, running and cycling - in my everyday life. It's truly wonderful!

I also became a subterranean dweller. In other words - I now live in the basement of my house. It's not as bleak as it sounds. My lower level is only partly below ground and has very large windows all around. The underground part is just enough to keep the temperature consistent - much cooler in the summer - a little warmer in the winter. My house is designed in such a way that we are able to separate the upstairs from the downstairs, therefore, being able to separate the house into two individual spaces. The downstairs, where my husband and I live, has about 900 or so square feet. It consists of a very large masterbedroom - big enough to put in a full-sized couch off to the side, an office/guest room with great built in bookcases and a beautiful futon for guests, a small bathroom which we redid and came out just beautiful (my husband did a great job interpreting my vision) a hallway with an alcove big enough to put a desk and to make it it's own little space, and a common area where I have my "European" kitchen, eating area, and family room w/TV.
This amount of living space is perfect for two people. We access our "space" through a door that goes to our backyard and we always have a nice view of the woods and nature, when that door is kept open. It's been a year nice we made the move "down under". The upstairs is now an income producing space which is rented to a young woman I have known since she was born.
It's a very good situation and all three of us (the rentee, my husband and myself) often can't believe how well this arrangement has worked out.