I'm okay. I've fallen into a pattern where I fall asleep early and wake up really early. I'm getting 6 or 7 hours of sleep, which is about normal for me. But when I wake up in the morning, I start to get upset all over again. It just doesn't make any sense to keep the last person hired and let me go. They will lose the little institutional memory they have--and my knowledge of the community. The next time an auditor comes will be worse. In fact, they still don't have an audit for 2009.

It's 24 out and the wind is howling. Yesterday, it was incredibly cold and windy, and it's going to be much colder for the next few days. Today's high is supposed to be 34. It's pretty good in here; we keep a fire going. Ray banks it at night, so it is still warm this morning. Good thing he and Captain cut and split all that wood! I sure wish we could bake something!

We had a lovely service of African music, singing and drumming. And the children acted out an African story. It was fun and there was standing room only. There was a vote on the budget, which is less than last year, and Ray rehearsed a play that they are doing for dinner theater next month.

So we got home for lunch about two and my parents had made some turkey/chicken soup. It was delicious and really hit the spot. At 4, I headed to Barnes and Noble to wrap some more. Mom and Ray both went with me. The Captain was watching the Patriots on TV. Mom got one or two more presents. I read the knitting magazines, but resisted buying any.

It is so hard to make a new life. There is a big hole where the Shelter was, like missing a tooth that was pulled out, and feeling with my tongue constantly. Plus, I have to pull myself together and apply for jobs. I looked at the paper yesterday. There wasn't much--a clerk at Public Health, assistant teachers at day care centers. But there are other things beside the want ads--the university, the school district...