Solid Ground--An Update

So, is anyone still there?

I know I disappeared for a while. Truth be told, disappearances like that are generally an accurate indicator of major things going on in my life that I don't feel free to write about out.. Turns out I am not so good at talking about stuff that doesn't matter when I am consumed by what is mattering to me at the moment.

But, the waters have calmed some, and I am happy to say I've actually been enjoying a modicum of stability *GASP!* SOLID GROUND has been FOUND!! I can happen to me!

Since my last postings, back in August:

I found a place and a roommate, rather by accident/divine appointment. So I moved again. But hopefully, it will stick this time, at least for a bit. It has turned out to be a lovely arrangement. I am a mile from work, and 2 miles from church, and since Thanksgiving I think I have only filled up my car's gas tank twice. Though no situation is without it's issues, so far, the issues are working out, and there is so much more that's been good than bad. I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed unpacking boxes, some of which I had not seen the contents of in well over a year. It's been fun settling in, though I still can't remember where everything is, and I spend a lot of time opening cabinets trying to remember where I put that.... Then, just barely two weeks after moving....

I spent a month in NY! My mom retired after 25 years with the Dutchess County Dept. of Mental Hygiene. Dan threw a lovely party for her, and my family where all there. I stayed on and worked at a NY Starbucks via the "borrowed partner" program, and helped my mom clean out her house a little. Eventually we hope to see her move to Florida, and the process begins with getting the house in order. It was a little surreal, in that what I was doing was much like what people do when a person dies, but I got to have my mom with me. I heard lots of stories, and brought back to Missouri many of our family "heirlooms." It was a gift.

While I was home I also lived through Hurricane Sandy, and a nor'easter snow storm, saw some great old friends from childhood and my youth group days, spent time with my dad, and drove halfway across the country, twice. I hope I will retroactively blog about some of that, but suffice it to say, the time was full, and rich and I am so glad I got to do that.

When I came back from NY, the holidays were bearing down upon us, and it's been a flurry of activity, work, freelance, and a special new project I will blog about in the future (that one is a promise!).

And now another new year is almost upon us. I remember last year, a new year, not knowing what it would hold, or what my life would look like, so much uncertainty and stress for me. And now, a year later, so, so, so, soooooo much is different. Virtually every aspect of my life has changed, and mostly, for the better. I am so thankful, so grateful. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. I'm feeling parts of me coming back that I haven't felt in years. I laugh more. I sleep WAY better.I cook more. And, look! I'm even blogging again! Life is balancing a little.

Solid ground feels great.

Thank God.