OK, so my friend Kathie and I made a deal to both blog this week, so I am trying to figure out where to start...
I would say that we are finishing up the first phase of our transition. We have found MOST everything in the boxes of unpacking. The house is pretty settled. We have a trip coming up to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The renter on our Idaho house is moving out, and we are working through our options on what to do with the house next. (We do wish our former renter and good friend the best in his new adventures, however, and are looking forward to visiting him in his new location!)
Marshall is settled in his job and liking it a lot. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the keynote to the developer's conference this Monday, and Marshall has been back and forth to San Francisco several times this week for conference sessions. Now I really want a new phone!
I have had 3 fabulous trips to visit with some friends and family in SoCal, Western NY, and Idaho. I am applying to temp agencies to see if I can get some temporary work. I am hoping to find something that will pay some bills while I figure out what I REALLY want to do next. I am doing a writing group and an "uncover your calling" group. I have been volunteering at the Center for Employment Training Immigration & Citizenship Program. When I was in Idaho, I took a seminar to learn the Simply the Story Bible study method, and I LOVE it! (Another good site on storying: here.)
On a Timmy note, I think that we are finished with funeral stuff. Thank-you notes are done and sent. (I am almost afraid to say that in case we missed someone, but I hope not!) We recently sent the approval back to the funeral home to have his gravestone made. This week also marks the one-year anniversary of "Diagnosis Day" (sadly just in time for Father's Day :-( although that is a week later this year than it was last year), as Timmy started losing his strength. So I've been thinking a lot about that and about that fateful night when he stopped being able to hold himself up anymore.
Last, but not least, is Brutus. He enjoys being the center of attention again. He still barks at other dogs when he is on his leash and he is very much the neighborhood watchdog. He welcomes us home with the greatest excitement. He likes his peanut butter. He loves to play ball in the evenings. He loves to snuggle on the couch with us when we watch movies. He has now moved up to sleeping on the bed whenever I am home, and he takes up as much space as I'll let him have. But he is the cuddle dog, which is just fine with me!
Well, that's the deal on us. What about you???
