End of summer update

Hi! I just realized I haven’t written since February and I’m sure you agree that it has been way too long.  More than once I thought I about it, but either was too lazy or realized it’s probably better if I don’t share everything (see, I do have a filter).

WORK:

When I last wrote I was debating whether I should switch departments at my job or stay with the same one.  I switched.  I think it’s good, I now know what I’m supposed to be doing, and most of the time I know how to do it.  Also I got a better office, with a window, and negotiated working from home on Fridays.  I also had fish for a little while, but I killed all 12 of them and switched to plants, people are less judgey when they die. Another perk of my job is my boss is only in town every other week and for some reason thinks I get off at 3. So when he’s around and sees me working until almost 4 most days he’s really impressed.  Plus I’m drama free (his words) and regularly bring him cookies or fruit.  The downside is that in the mornings I have to work in a refinery trailer.  It is really dirty (in every sense of the word) and doesn’t have a bathroom but I’ve been decorating; they really love me there.  

And, in case you were wondering, the sign hasn’t worked, but that might be a good thing because one of the guys did give up tobacco, sugar and drinking one week and was terrible to be around.  Actually quite a few of my coworkers have been terrible to be around lately, but nothing like workplace conflict to keep me humble. 

FRIENDS:

The spring/summer I went on a few trips and fortunately saw many of you.  One of the trips was to Chico with my college roommates (minus Katharine).  It was a little startling to realize it had been 10 years since we graduated but such a blessing to not only reflect on the Lord’s goodness while we lived together, but how He has continued to be faithful since then.  Here are 2 pictures from the weekend; the one with a very sad baby Tirzah was taken right before we left.  

Also this summer friends came to visit and I got to do all sorts of Bay Area exploring, it’s very pretty here and those work from home Fridays come in handy.

But guys, I made a local friend too (move over mom).  Here’s how it went down.  My friend Jenn was in town and we met up for lunch at a coffee shop. At this coffee shop I saw this girl reading her Bible so I strategically sat down next to her.  Then I pulled out a really classic conversation starter like, “Hi, I see you’re reading your Bible, we’re Christians too.”  I then pretty much told her I have no friends and asked her if she would be mine.  She was like, “oh yeah sure let’s exchange numbers and I’ll text you,” but never did.  Anyways, I’m not that easily deterred so I followed up with her and now we’re legit friends. But she stays up too late so I’ve learned I have to limit hanging out so it doesn’t conflict with my sleep schedule. Here’s a picture of me with her friends at the beach on 4^th of July.

LIVING:

Since I moved back, almost two years ago, I’ve been living with my parents (and whoever has been living with them) and it’s been great.  But then my aunt’s neighbor was getting rid of these really awesome dishes and I became the proud owner of approximately 50 pieces of hand painted Mexican dishware; ashtray and cat shaped sugar bowl included.  They were boxed up and stuck in the attic with those wooden salt and pepper shakers I made a while back (remember).  Anyways, these dishes got me thinking that maybe it was time to move out.   Contrary to popular belief, my parents did not agree, but my dad and I also don’t see eye-to-eye on the dishes.  I mean it’s not that the dishes made me move out, but I think the Lord used them to get me to think about how I could be serving Him differently living on my own.   Long story short, at the beginning of August I moved to a 450 sq. foot attached in-law unit a whole 1.5 miles from my parents.  My coworker pointed out that it’s essentially the same size (and shape) as the trailer, but it’s not dirty and it has a bathroom so it’s much better. 

After completely switching out three couches (evidently visualization isn’t one of my strong-suits) I’m mostly settled in…as long as it stays warm; I’m not quite sure where I’m supposed to put coats.  So feel free to come visit.  But don’t come next weekend because, although the winning couch has a pull out bed, it’s already reserved.  But really you should come because I’m not used to this much alone time, right before I moved there were 6 extra people staying with us.  Overall it’s been great, I’ve been watching the Olympics, having people over, obsessing over Craigslist, eating the same things over and over and nesting.  And I’ve been learning a lot too, like don’t trust Ace Hardware’s color swatches of wood stain, and cantaloupe doesn’t freeze well, or, more specifically, it doesn’t defrost well.   And maybe I’ll learn a little of how to practice what Paul was living in Acts 28:30-31 “Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house.  And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance.”

Here's a picture of my current view, from my winning couch with the shelf my brother build me and I stained. 

Well, that about sums up the past 6 months, give or take a lot of lessons in Proverbs 19:21 “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”  But no one wants to read about potentially great things that didn’t happen.

What’s going on with you?

Winter livin'

I hear in parts of the country it’s winter.  It isn’t in California.  I mean I still wear cardigans most days, mostly to combat air conditioning.  But El Niño might be coming back, and that would be great because then I could stop saving the water I run in the shower waiting for it to get hot and toting it to the washing machine. 

Much of my life revolves around work and you’re dying to know what my job actually is…oh wait…that’s me who’s dying to know what my job actually is.  For the first 8 months I did very little work, so since November they’ve decided that every time someone quit they would have me “temporarily fill in.” An example.  At the end of December I was offered a job in a different department, it sounded a little too job-like, and there were some specific reservations I had so I declined.   Then I was told I actually had to do it until they hire someone else, or as the head of that department says, “I was conscripted.”  They still haven’t hired anyone else, nor have they attempted.  For a few days this was really too much work. I mean I was staying 30 minutes late some days.  But really time wise my old fulltime job was taking like 30% of my time/brain power and this one is like 85% (on it’s busiest days) so I’m just occasionally slightly over-taxed.  Monday I’m supposed to meet with both departments and negotiate a longer-term solution.  You should pray for me.

The main problem working with the two departments is I just get confused.  Like the other day I got a calendar invite for an offsite training (with free lunch!) for one of our customers and the day before I realized I had no clue who signed me up.  I went to the training anyways and tried not to let it show that I was pretty sure I was wrongfully enrolled.  The good news was I’d been praying just this week about making connections in my neighborhood and the lady hosting it is my neighbor. 

Speaking of aimless training, they sent me to LA twice.  This was great because while down there I got to see lots of lovely non-work people.  And one of those trips un-coincidently lined up with a youth retreat I was already planning on going to so that was super convenient.  I added a picture from that retreat, the 3 Joys with squinty eyes.  

Now that there’s more daylight I don’t feel quite as lethargic (except last Saturday when I went to brunch and then came home and took a nap at noon) so I can whip-up mid-week dinners like these Quinoa Burgers.  My mom was a big fan, obviously, but when she said I could definitely make them again my dad full on glared at her.    

Other food related news a few Wednesdays a month I try to have dinner with my grandpa.  If my parents are free they’ll come with me and my mom will bring food.  If they can’t come usually I’ll invite him to take me out for dinner.  So far Panera Bread is a safe bet, but I keep trying to diversify.  He says he likes Chinese so I took him to Panda Express – hated it with a passion, then my aunt took him somewhere-also a flop, and then I tried out a 3^rd place.  We had a really nice time and I thought the food was great he said, and I quote, “the water is good here.” I mean he had to DIG DEEP to find that compliment.  The next time I called him to invite him to dinner he said he wasn’t hungry, and he doesn’t like any of the restaurants around here, and just plain no.  He forgets a lot of things these days, but evidently his taste-memory is strong.   Anyways, as my sister dearest pointed out he’d rather starve then eat out with me. 

So that is my life: work and food and Jesus (who makes all things good).