Hitchens/Hitchin'

Just got back from my visit to Pullman. Had a GREAT time with my friends Steve and Cheri. Re-met their daughter whom I'm pretty sure I was in high school art class with and meet their two granddaughters, who were sick with the flu but super cute. Cheri said she got to catch up on a week's worth of talking. :)


Highlights were the slammin' coleslaw Cheri made last night for dinner, praying during Clean House commercial breaks, the stuffed animal exhibit on the University campus, and attending a talk by Christopher Hitchens. I didn't completely disagree with him. My biggest takeaway is that I need to be challenged and participate in intelligent discourse as an act of worship. It's what Paul did.

And on the way out of Pullman, I picked up a guy holding a sign that said "Colfax". Since I'm now blogging about it, you can breath your sigh of relief. Colfax is only 15 miles from Pullman, I know, it's no excuse as my friend Tiffany said: you could have been dead in 2 minutes. Anyhow, he got baptized in jail a few months ago and is struggling now, lacking fellowship. Anyone know a good Body in Colfax? Not that I exchanged any contact info, so I couldn't tell him anyway (breath your 2nd sigh of relief).

In Richland through next Wed when my dad and I go to Seattle to hang with the family again. And then fly to New Orleans. So this is my last week 'home'.

Seattle visit 2 of 3

Well, my sister was surprised on magnitude for her 40th birthday party, though she 'knew something was up'. I'm glad that my part (the slide show) went off mostly without a hitch; my brother-in-law admitted to getting misty-eyed at the end. So the sentimental chord was struck, which I count as dramatic success (Thanks, Elijah!).

My newest niece was "presented" (I think was the word the pastor used) today. And among other things (like Nordstroms with my mom and Costco with my dad) I tried to teach my eldest neice a song in round while she worked on some Valentines (these are for real--sorry I don't know how to rotate them for ease-of-reading):




I called my health insurance to see if they cover international and they don't. So for those of you who pray, I could use some wisdom figuring out what to do about the times I'm abroad. Also, I just finished reading The Treasure Principle and am thinking a lot about giving. My tax return should be deposited soon. And I have some sold stock value sitting in cash...TMI? Anyway. Really, I'm not that worried. Recent provision: very reasonable airfare to Poland for me and Stacey, parking spot at Mars Hill 11:15 service, hassle-free drive back home including interesting conversation with dad. So, all will be well.

Tomorrow, visiting friends in Pullman. Hope to have Wi-Fi there.

And also I think I may have a 'job' idea: consulting but for families rather than businesses. Like helping families deal with some chronic issue that's process/task-natured, not psychological. Think I could get anyone to pay for that? Somehow utilizing my project management skills but in a domestic setting. With most my clients being moms...

It's begun

Copy of IMG_2526
Originally uploaded by xoxoirene

It's been about 15 years since I last skied at Bluewood. And I think last time my friends and I played hooky from school. This time, I had the wherewithal to save Pepsi cans (courtesy Stepframe soda pop drinkers) for half-price lift tickets.

A lot of people have been asking me if I'm excited about my travels. And my new true response is, I'm tired of being excited. For me, my travel has already begun (who gets to go skiing on a Wednesday?--apparently Walla Walla and Kings Point students). Even though so far it's been in-state, my adventure is past the prologue and well into Chapter 1.

Upcoming stops: Seattle, Pullman, Richland, Seattle.