Take Me Away from This Computer! Please?

Actually, it's been quite a productive day even though I spent most of it staring at the laptop screen, answering email I've put off for who-knows-how-long, and taking care of some correspondence. And then there's the normal daily check-in with Facebook friends. So, maybe the eyestrain will be worth it in the long run.

First, out of the blue this morning I got three new Facebook friends, bringing the total up to thirty-six. It would have been 37 but one person canceled. However, I understand the reasons because I've considered doing the same several times, especially after getting hit with a Trojan last month. Now I'm being extremely careful about what I open and so far haven't had any problems since then. Knock on wood. I think it's been worth it though, because now several of my nieces, my brother and his wife, a nephew, and two cousins are now Facebook friends as well as lots and lots of friends from various stages of my life. It's been wonderful to get back in touch with all of them.

Second, I wrote and emailed a proposal to the Board of my UU church in Bartlesville about starting a program of Small Group Ministry for them, something I've had a lot of experience doing. I feel very strongly that churches need to have small groups, or covenant groups as most of us call them, especially members of congregations such as Bartlesville who do so much good work outside the church, participating in activism of all kinds. I believe that sometimes it's necessary to take time to reflect upon our lives in order to make sense of why we do the things we do and what it all means. So, we'll see how this goes.

Next, I reviewed some material about working with volunteers and setting up a volunteer program in preparation for meeting with the social work intern at A Third Place Community Center in Turley on Friday. We're going to plan how to set up that program and also talk about how to arrange and decorate the small volunteer space set aside for that purpose. I'll stick around the Center that day and do my own volunteering, then stay all night in my RV. That's because...

I'm going to meet a brand new friend at the Cherry Street Farmer's Market in Tulsa early Saturday morning. It's straight down the same road so hopefully I won't get lost. She and I met on the "Simple Living Discussion Group" and discovered we live fairly close to each other. So, we're going to hang out together Saturday. Should be fun.

Finally, I decided once and for all to finish work for my M.Div. degree since I'm so very close to being done. I haven't decided yet whether I'll go for ordination, but will keep that in the front of my mind. Although I'm really tired of jumping through hoops, I'm pretty sure it will be worth it in the long run. Yes, there have been a few years since finishing my internship and CPE in which things pretty much fell apart i.e. divorce, several not-so-good jobs, and a definite lack of money. The lack of money is still here, but now I am really eligible for good financial aid. So, I think I'll most likely go for it.

So, this evening I sent off requests for official transcripts, filled out the application form, and asked permission to use several people as references. Sunday night it all goes in the mail, along with a non-refundable check for $60.

So, it's been a decent day. I even did a load of laundry at the laundromat. Of course, we won't count trying to burn up the toaster oven while warming up a few tortillas. I keep forgetting the thing is a combination toaster/convection oven and is very fast. I got it to use in the RV where it's very handy. When I get independently wealthy, I'd love to just keep it out there and get a small microwave for this house. I didn't think I'd miss the microwave that much, but I got used to having one, especially for warming up leftovers since I'm still trying to cook for more than one person most of the time.

Chris