Artistic License

Ok I didn't get THIS one but I did get California license plates today for my car Ooopsie, so named for her tendency to slide up the speedometer when I'm not watching.

The end of an era of having BRIARS be on my plates, both in Virginia and Massachusetts. Maybe I can get EGREG.

Realized a little late that practice tests for drivers' licenses did not cover all the questions. Might I actually have to come back in and take the test a second time? When the guy said I got a perfect score I thot he was teasing.

Guess I'm really a California girl now!

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photo by alexanderljung

Laundry Blues

Ok it's been a few generations since my family washed clothes like this, but it's beginning to seem the attractive alternative.

The tiny combination washer-dryer in my new apartment takes 5 hours to mangle the clothes, leaving them a choice of (1) still wet or (2) dry, but wrinkled.

The highly recommended laundry service returned my clothes with so much icky scent on them that I had to quarantine them in a spare closet for 3 days, and stay out of the room entirely.

On the plus side, the laundry service was sufficiently open to my report that they decided to abandon their use of scented detergents and scented dryer sheets entirely. Fewer chemicals for a lot of people, I trust that's a good thing.

I suppose if this is one of my biggest problems I should simply count my blessings. But the current situation feels undignified, and being a person with depression I have to be careful about stuff like this. Is it too much to want clean clothes?

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photo by cindianajones

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

"Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true"

Hope so. Some days I feel like I'm chasing rainbows.

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photo by Lithfin

My Furniture Arrives!

Fri: Cherry danish was my special treat while awaiting the moving van. Waiting especially for my *desk*. Couches delivered at the same time from a local store. Now all I need to do is unpack. Hahahahaha!

Sat: Found the most essential items amidst a sea of boxes. Some books onto shelf, much better now.

Sun: Church, a comfort. Unpacked lamps and put framed photos and paintings up.

Mon: Had car inspected for any damage during the move, slow leak of coolant. Will fix.

Tues: Working. Wisconsin and Hawaii primaries. Need more groceries.

I can scarcely believe I've only been here 2 weeks. Am missing people and familiar scenes from Virginia. Camp has been fun, can I go home now?

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photo by pQbon

Getting Connected

Waiting for the cable guy to come and connect my new television. Having severe C-Span withdrawal [or C-Spam as twolf calls it].

It's been interesting to watch how my new connections are evolving on both a technical and a human level. One of my greatest fears moving here was that I would be so isolated and alone.

But I am doing my best to be patient, to be friendly, to take each day and make the most of it. Keep telling myself that "things will become less unfamiliar." I've planned for the entire month of February to seem weird.

At some point, I imagine I'll feel like camp is over and it's time to go home. But for now, so far so good.

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photo by kenyee

"Too Dumb to Live" = Evil Concept

Representative Tom Lantos has died. He and his wife were very generous with their time and their introductions in helping my Russian medical work.

We did not see eye-to-eye on the war but I had the greatest respect for his life experience and his strong positions on human rights issues.

He was the only member of Congress who was a survivor of the Holocaust.

I got into some trouble today for challenging another person's use of the phrase "too dumb to live."

Mentally retarded people were deliberately singled out and killed during the Holocaust.

Moreover my sensitivity to this has grown from the Russian children's hospital where I have observed children left to die because of mental and physical handicaps. These children weigh on my conscience. I will not be silent.

For the record, that phrase will never be considered lighthearted, funny, or just words here at my blog.

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photo by yewenyi

Where Am I Going

FIrst time at Menlo Park Presbyterian, people were so welcoming and loving.

I was brought to the senior pastor who prayed for me about my divorce and brokenness and move to California. Apparently he is famous for his writing and his books [John Ortberg]. I said I was probably the only one in the sanctuary who had never heard of him. I was there because I asked God what city to live in and what church to find.

It worked for Vienna VA Pres and will work again here. The rest of my life may be in a shambles, but I do trust God to direct me to the right congregation.

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Photo by Arkansas Wanderer

Rejoicing: My Car Arrived

Bought a beautiful bouquet of irises, realized a little late in the game that my vase is still ten days away on a moving van.

But a car of this same color arrived yesterday evening. I'm so happy!

The two guys that drove the car carrier were good ole boys from North Carolina, sounded like my Kentucky dad. One of them had a fire/police/rescue shirt on, I imagine he is in the auxiliary as so many of them are there. Different kind of rescue, to reunite me with my beloved car.

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photo by lilcrabbygal

Found a Piano

Am trying to deal with the strangeness of the new place by finding continuities with the old one.

Today I found a lovely grand piano and played and sang for over an hour with no interruptions. It was a sanctuary in more ways than one.

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photo by madabandon

I Voted...I Think

First time California voter. Despite registering in time, they didn't have me on the official list. Got a provisional ballot, with a phone number to call in a month and see if my ballot was counted.

Heavy turnout, according to the poll workers. I was first in line at 7am :)

The provisional ballot guy looked at me and said "Democrat?" I wonder how he knew. Maybe from the big smile on my face.

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photo by finn

A Toast to the New Place!

The toaster and coffeemaker work. Maybe I can make this place function while my wordly belongings wander across the country for the next two weeks.

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photo by crowderb

Now What?

My new life in California begins.

Always loved the cartoon of the newborn nursery at the hospital, the baby looking up and saying "Now what?"

Sharp-eyed readers will recognize this baby as niece Claire Elizabeth who is now up to 6 pounds. Go kid go!

Thru the Gate

Ok I'm ready.

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photo by dhammza