Yesterday morning I ate leftover mini-muffins (and yogurt and applesauce), walked the dog in the rain, bathed and dressed in black, and headed to the Fellowship. We sang and enjoyed the service. Afterwards, I talked to some people. I met my parents for lunch and invited Ange to join us. We said we would meet at Last Resort, but it was too crowded, so we went to Casa Mia instead. They had brunch. My parents met me at Ray's office, where we left one car for him, then drove me to the Classic Center.

There wasn't much I could do for a while, just waiting for the tech crew to set up. They had only had an hour to get ready. There is a church that meets there in the morning (who had left a lot of litter). Then there were some things that didn't work quite right. Eventually, we were set. A group of women performing a Zumba number ran through their routine first. Then we did a cue-to-cue for the contestants, getting a preview of the show (without costumes). I sat in the sound booth, following along on my script, with a headset on, telling the union sound man when to push play. He had to deal with adjusting the volume on the various mikes (and the video) and making sure everything worked right. Part of my job, it seems, is to be reassuring and calm that everything will be fine. I enjoy it and it is not very stressful, since this is my fourth year (I think).

There were many really good performances this year and it was a lot of fun. Joan spoke movingly about domestic violence--about a little boy who asked her to teach him taekwondo so he could keep his father from hurting his mother, for instance. Going into the show, they did not expect to make as much money as they had other years, because of the economy and the difficulty of maintaining the same level of excitement about an event like this. At the end of the night, we were all practically in tears. They raised over $92,000! I wish I could say I had come up with the idea, but I did have a small part in making it happen.

I visited Ray and my parents and lots of other people I knew during the two intermissions--and paid for 10 votes for my favorite couple, who started out gathered around a trash can, to the tune of "The Sun'll come out tomorrow..." and then changed to "Movin' on Up" from the Jeffersons. It was cute and they were having a great time. And she is white and he is black.

After the show, Ray and I went to the Last Resort for dessert with Becky and Kent. It was nice to have him home. I fantasized about a dessert restaurant, like we used to have--The Flamingo Room or Sweet Indulgences. I wondered if it would be possible to make a success of it.

It was after 11 when we went to bed and I woke dreaming of tragedy and homelessness. But all will be well. For me, anyway.

Yesterday morning I ate breakfast early, walked with Cameron in the cold rain out to get the newspaper and back. Took a bath, including washing my hair with my new Bumble and Bumble shampoo and conditioner. I packed up all my baked goods, taking some out of the freezer, talked to Ray on the phone from Cloudland Canyon. He is fine, although one of the students was so car sick, they had to stop twice for her to throw up. Poor kid. He is making pancakes for them about now.

I got to the Fellowship and there were already some visitors from other congregations, as well as many of ours. Coffee had been made and some breakfast items set out (Krispy Kreme donuts, which I did not taste). I added a few of my mini-muffins and kept watch to replenish as needed, but there wasn't much interest. I guess I wasn't feeling very sociable, because I stayed in the kitchen, greeting UUFA choir members as they arrived with their food and reassuring them that it would be reheated (or whatever). It was kind of amusing that whoever arrived started telling me about their dish (or asking me questions) just because I was standing around in the kitchen. I signed up for a morning and afternoon workshop and got my packet of music. It didn't seem like 100 people--I don't know if the rainy weather kept them away or 100 isn't that many.

A little before 10, Kay arrived to take charge of the kitchen. I helped her a little, putting silverware in baskets, before going to the opening. Amber said that one of the presenters had (abruptly) resigned from her job and they had to find others to fill in, just on Friday. Rev. Alison welcomed people and even led a workshop on music and ministry. I like her more and more. We sight-read several songs with Amber, Kathy and Kevin, before breaking for the morning workshop. I worked with Kathy and sopranos and altos on a song based on The Hobbit. It was fun to have someone else trying to coax the best sound from us, but, as usual, made me appreciate Amber even more. Kathy suggested we should sing like Julia Child and I should have liked her jokey style, but it didn't feel as affirming as Amber's.

I lined up first for lunch. There was tons of food, covering every surface in the kitchen. After I ate, I stood around to be useful, but there was really nothing that needed doing. In the afternoon session, I worked with Don, a young man who I liked even better, but still not as well as Amber. We learned a very difficult piece with syncopated rhythms--If you can walk, you can dance. We sight-read a lot more pieces, including a marriage song and a song about death, that both made me cry.

I had a lot of leftovers to take home--cookies, which will be great and keep well. Mini-muffins, which need to be eaten immediately and can't be refrozen. And one loaf of sliced bread I made Friday, that I put right into the freezer. I would normally be making pancakes this morning, but i just have to eat muffins before adding any more bread!

I got home about 3:30 and my parents had been there and brought in the mail and left some laundry. It was raining, sometimes lightly and sometimes more heavily. There was only one egg, so I didn't let the chickens out. I called my parents and they had gotten one egg. I rested a while, reading my book, and put away clean dishes and tidied a little. Then I headed to my parents to pick them up and drive to Hull. (I took them some mini-muffins).

We had dinner with a man named David and his step-son, Nasif. David's wife is Brazilian and she has been spending time with her father, who is sick. They would like to bring him to Hull, but he would not be eligible for Medicare and they would have to pay for any medical expenses out of pocket, which they cannot afford to do. So David and his stepson are in Hull, while she is in Brazil. They are quite lonely, being more liberal than most of the Hull residents. They have lived there less than 3 years. David taught physiology (?) at a medical school on Domenica for many years. Not sure if that is where he met his Brazilian wife, but they came to Hull because David's mother was dying here (I think). He spoke proudly of his mother, who dropped out of school at 15. At 76, when her second husband died, she went back to school, to college, and graduate school. Her master's thesis was an authorized biography of Buck Owen. They lived in Bakersfield, California--his mother and Buck. Not sure how they ended up in in Hull.

Dinner was delicious and was preceded by a Brazilian drink with a kind of sugar cane liquor, lime, sugar, and wine. I liked it quite well. We were joined by David's neighbor, Tammy, who has been a member of the Fellowship for years. She is a PA at the University health service. Naturally, we had a discussion of health care in the US, and the costs and prevalence of malpractice. The evening was quite pleasant and I was home by 9:30. I thought about TV, but went up to my bed and read instead. I couldn't quite finish my book before I fell asleep. During the night, I woke up several times to heavy rain, but finally didn't wake up until almost 7, when the sky was lightening (although still raining--no sunny heat for me today--I had to turn up the thermostat).

It is National Unplugged Day, from dusk yesterday to dusk today, originally based on interpretations of the Sabbath. I did not watch any TV or use the computer yesterday evening and I was trying to decide about blogging this morning, but I am not reading my email or going on the internet otherwise. I don't usually watch TV until evening anyway.

It was rainy all day and in the 40s and 50s. In the morning, I took Ray and his gear to his office. He got the van and should have left about 12:30 with the students, driving up to Cloudland Canyon near Chattanooga. I don't much like the thought of him driving a van full of students in the rain. He said there were enough professors that they would take turns, so that's good. I don't think the cell phone service is very good there, so I am not surprised I didn't hear from him.

I spent a couple hours at ALT, still playing around with Salesforce.com. Printing mailing labels from there is impossible; you have to export them and then merge them in Word. So I downloaded ODB and will see about using it. I talked to Nancy some and looked at the other things I am working on a little. I left at lunchtime and went home to my dog and my chickens and my house, even though it was cold and rainy. I did break down and put on the heat. I even got a smoky fire going that helped some. I made bread and ate leftovers for lunch and supper and washed my dishes. I listened to music and chatted with Molli and Amelia. I went out for a short walk after supper in the dusk with Cameron. Then I went upstairs and got into my nightgown and my bed and read some. I fell asleep about 8 and slept until after 5.

Went for a longer walk yesterday morning, then took Ray to his office. Worked at ALT, had a long lunch with Becky. Got the thank-you letters in the mail, although the postage machine and I don't seem to get along. Some of the letters were mailed with a copy of the program from the event, and they went through the machine all right, but the meter mark didn't show up. Nathan ran them again with the same result (.88 cents each wasted--hmm, money-saving postage meter?), and finally put stamps on them. I guess you can't put a note to the postal service that says, "we paid for these."

Picked Ray up after 4:30 and drove him to the library, where I picked up a couple fantasy books--kind of like comfort food to me. Went to pilates while he was at the Democratic Committee Executive Committee meeting. Only two of us in the class--a great workout. I have been having some trouble with my left arm and shoulder and she helped me with it. The most likely culprit seems to be the chair and computer setup at the Land Trust, which is kind of sad. I don't want to jeopardize my arrangement by complaining and I don't want to give it up, but I can't really just ignore continually worsening pain in my arm and back. I remember (during the night or early this morning) that I actually brought my own chair to the Shelter from home for similar reasons. I feel kind of funny asking them for it back... they may have gotten rid of it. It is awkward and seems a little petty, but if it saves my back, it is worth it.

Then I went back to the library and picked up Ray. We stopped at TransMet for supper. By now, it was almost 7 and I was starting to be stressed by not having eaten. I have read that diabetics should not go more than 5 hours without eating. I am not yet diabetic, but pre-diabetic, but I am trying to avoid actually getting the diagnosis, and following some of the guidelines. The pizza was delicious, but I hated getting home so late.

I spent some time on the computer and the phone, checking out fares to the northeast for spring break, now that I know I will not be working. But they are too high, no deals left this close to time. And since I am not working, we won't be going anywhere without a really good price.

I went to bed a little after 9 and read some of my new fantasy novel before I fell asleep. Unfortunately, I woke up again before 3, with my shoulder hurting and other things on my mind. So I went in the red room and read for a while and dozed some before getting up. Ray is packing for his trip to Cloudland Canyon with some of the students (and professors). When he goes there, I remember the time my sisters and I went there. It was really nice.

Worked on thank-you letters and the mailing list at ALT. Ate leftovers at my desk for lunch. Went to Earth Fare to buy groceries. Picked up Ray. Went home. Sunny and pleasant. The chickens were out. Captain and Vanessa were there.

Finished chili and made salsa for potluck. It was very well received (I didn't try it myself). I got a terse, bureaucratic, form e-mail telling me someone else was selected for the job at UGA. It's okay. Didn't fall asleep in choir. Watched a little TV.

Another warm morning. My Dad arrived before we even took a walk, to take a bath while Vanessa was at yoga, after a little time on the computer. The baby lettuces are looking good after the inch of rain we had. I picked some spinach and lettuce that had wintered over, and there are a couple cabbages I could harvest.

I dropped Ray off and was at ALT about 10. I worked a couple hours on the thank you letters and then went home for lunch, partly because the weather was so nice. My parents were just getting ready to go. I had leftover breakfast casserole for lunch and did some vacuuming, before getting back in the car to drive to the writing workshop. I felt bad because I had not really made time for myself to write this week. I'm unemployed and have no children to care for; it's not as if I am too busy. I just don't make time. I need to decide what's important to me. Obviously, planning meals and cooking are important. Walking is important. Apparently, watching TV is important.

Anyway, the workshop was relaxing and inspiring. This week's assignment is to spend some time in silence, an idea I have toyed with for years. There is a yoga group that holds silent retreats and I have been tempted to go. I think I might hate it. Am I afraid to be alone with my thoughts?

I picked Ray up and we came home. I had thawed chicken cacciatore for dinner and it was quite yummy. I made some more cookies too.

I watched a few things on TV and then came up to read for a while before bed. I fell asleep about 9:15, waking up several times when Ray came to bed and then got up about 4 or so, but I managed to stay in bed until after 6. It is starting to be a little light now and I feel great, although I have some aches in my back and left arm.

Chickens staying near the coop

The sky looked like this.

It was threatening to rain all day--heavy clouds and very windy. I worked at ALT for a couple hours, then went to lunch with Becky and Deb. It wasn't raining yet; we ate outside. More time at ALT in the afternoon, sat in on a conference call about some software to keep track of homes and homeowners. Picked up Ray before 4; went home and spent a little time outside with the chickens.

Funny story: my Dad called during the day to say he had stopped in at the house. He got an egg and stuck it in his pocket for safe-keeping. But apparently it wasn't very safe...made a mess in his pocket. He was just telling me for my records.

They stayed a little close to me since the weather was so wild. I put them up about 5:30 and went in, fed Cameron, and made some delicious supper. We had recorded the Oscars and only watched part of it the night before, so we watched the rest, skipping through the commercials. But it went on and on, I had trouble staying awake. And then, it turned out, the show ran over by 15 minutes, and the recording stopped. So, we didn't see the finale, even though I know the King's Speech won. Went to bed about 10.