Overdue!

So what's been happening? After a year plus of living in our home, I have the drive, enthusiasm AND energy to make this place really look like a home and feel settled in. I think having our bedroom painted was a great kick start! I'm also re-reading "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore." It's worth another read to let the ideas, concepts and heart behind it sift through me again.
In the last couple of days, there has been a lot of processing going on for me. A rather large financial and relational setback occurred. The few people I've told about it have even called it an injustice. By in large I'm not an external processor. Although I do talk about upsetting things, I also need to pray, analyze some (however, some things are just too incredible - good or bad - to analyze) and just time to let it go. I can't do anything to change it because you can't make someone do something they don't want to! What does not help is re-living the events in my head, playing over the verbal exchanges just to get angry again! No one, including the Lord, said life would be fair. Honestly, I have so much to be thankful for, which has really helped to calm my heart and enable me to forgive. Still working on all of that; it's not completely over because it's a process! :) I'm also thankful that God doesn't want me to be embittered or carry this burden around with me. In Him there is new life ahead, and He is the one who takes care of me. Moving forward day by day, sometimes moment by moment.

Anonymous

Thanks, people, for writing any comments that you do!! I realize it's a pain perhaps to 'sign up' and be a follower and not everyone has a google account. So commenting under 'anonymous' or "name/url" (there you can just type in your name) is great, but I do have one request. Could you at least leave your initials so I can guess who is writing? Of course you don't have to it's just that I might want to follow up on something. Plus, to be honest, it's nice knowing who is checking the site out! :) Thanks!

Ahh, the Mundane!

I know, I know, I've talked about the mundane! Perhaps this time in a little different vein. Today was our first full day of being back home. It was filled with the mundane - laundry, grocery shopping, making dinner, vacuuming and getting our bedroom back in order. It was all wonderful! :) Truly, we had a great 10 days away, seeing family and friends, spectacular fireworks and some awesome summer weather. But being back home, settling in again, was soul relaxing. I love our home (not just the physical place but where we are 'us') so all these activities were comforting and establishing again our place. Loved it!
I hope that I can carry an extra measure of this appreciation through 'regular life.' I am very blessed!

Wrapping It Up

We are about to fly home so our trip is coming to a close. This latter half in Seattle has been gorgeous! I have to say that while in the metropolis of Cosmopolis (!), where we went first, looking out the window I would have thought we were in the middle of our California winter! It was warmer than our winter but rather gray and drippy! :( Ah well, the weather has steadily improved on the trip, even in Cosmopolis. Brian is loving it now at 87 degrees in Seattle.
Getting together with long time friends (please note I did not say 'old' because we aren't!) has been wonderful. It's great when you can just pick up where you last left off even if that was a few years ago. Those kind of relationships are special.
It's been a fine time away, but like the end of most trips the thought of home is a welcome one. My comfy bed and a freshly painted bedroom sound wonderful!

A Blast from the Past

Tonight Brian and I are having dinner with 3 gals I graduated from High School! Truly a blast from the past. One of the gals I probably haven't seen for around 20 years. The other two maybe it's been 8 to 10 years, not sure. Looking forward to the conversations and they all want to meet Brian!
Wow, Seattle is gorgeous - it's supposed to get into the 90's this week! That's hotter than where I live in California!! I love to visit Seattle but I'm very content where I'm living now. Seattle is a GREAT place to be from, :) and therefore visit from time to time. When the sun is out (which is often, people, just not in winter!) there are few places in the world that can rival it's beauty.

The 4th

Well I think my new family is helping me re-live my childhood. WOW do they know how to do fireworks!!!! I don't know if there wasn't enough testosterone or enough money for much of a display as I was growing up. I don't remember, maybe I'm wrong, but I only remember whistling Petes, snakes and some smaller fountains. It was fun yesterday, but OMG fireworks with the Lloyds is 50 levels up, or more. Great fun and good food!!
However, I'm not sure I'm totally accepted by this side of the family or I had my final initiation yesterday. To start the bonfire last night Larry dumped the brickets on the wood. I was in optimal position to receive the ash cloud. I did manage to get out of the way for the second round as he stirred the pot, so to say! My clothes were a bit more subdued in color and of course I looked a little ashen! Initiation over?! :)
Honestly, it was a great time. A long drive home last night but well worth it!