Amazing, isn't it? One can be busy doing the minutia of daily living and forget to check in with the blog (almost) no one reads but me. But this can be a wonderful tool to document events, big and small. So here I am again. With no promises to be more consistent.
Today is Sunday. This is General Conference weekend. This morning was excellent. (Is there ever a time it isn't excellent?) Elder Oaks and Elder Scott and of course President Monson. And the other speakers, whose names slip my mind right now--sorry--were excellent as well. Elder Holland's talk yesterday was a highlight. Brought me to tears. As someone who has struggled with clinical depression and ADD for many years--and has struggled with the medication issue as well--this talk was a little personal note from Heavenly Father that reminds me how much He loves me. And to remind me that when I get to the "other side" I won't have this condition anymore. My body and brain will be perfected. Amazing!
A big change: On June 28th I moved back to the Tri-cities. Marissa and her family moved to the Chicago area a few days earlier. I am working at Somerset Counseling for Gary and Cathy Somdahl. It is an unusual arrangement, but so far it's working. Joe is back in the Tri-cities as well. He is terminally ill with end stage liver disease. I felt that I should be here to support Jenna and my step-daughters as they support and care for their dad. At the moment, he is in a care facility and seems to be holding his own, all things considered. So, in essence my two ex-husbands have contributed to my decision to return to the Tri-cities. Oh, and the fact that I absolutely wanted to leave THS. This time I don't miss it. At all. No thoughts of ever going back. It isn't the organization I originally joined and it never will be that again. There was some grieving that went on, but no regrets.
I belong to an awesome ward! I have been called to be a RS teacher again. This time not as the teaching for our times teacher but as the teacher for the Lorenzo Snow Teachings. I enjoy teaching. Day before yesterday I took the Sister missionaries to dinner at Olive Garden. The day of the dinner I was going to prepare for them, I learned that a substitute missionary that was here for one day has an allergy to gluten. I had nothing--absolutely nothing--to prepare to serve for dinner. So I invited them to Olive Garden. A little more expensive than planned but certainly a nice change of pace for them and definitely better than my own cooking! For the first time since I joined the church 5 years ago, I have visiting teachers who actually come and visit me. And home teachers--a very kind and committed couple who visit and pick me to go to the temple.
I really like my apartment. I pay less for a 2 bedroom apartment than I paid for a 1 bedroom in Burien/Seattle. Central heat and air conditioning (a necessity!) I get a sewing room. I have a balcony. I bought a new tv, and Jenna and I painted my dark Ikea bookcases with white chalk paint and I'm creating a beach cottage look. Life is good.
I miss my friends and the weather and of course my old ward and the Seattle temple. The Columbia River temple is much smaller and simpler--but it serves the purpose equally as well.
Sadly, beachcombing opportunities are few. Maybe next spring and summer :-) Right now I'm texting with one of my visiting teachers and adding to my blog post in between texts. On my phone and on my laptop simultaneously. I am a tech wizard. Tee hee!
Time to get settled into my (new) sand colored sofa w/ attached chaise. With my turquoise colored soft and cuddly throw which was a gift from my TC grandchildren for Grandparents Day. Life is good! The next session starts in about 15 minutes.
