And while I am retired, these last couple of weeks feel like I am back at work. On Monday, I was busy closing things out, writing instructions, and getting ready for ten days in Brazil starting on the 19th. I was also working on some church process items. I am also planning with Deborah to be in Michigan on Christmas Day. I think Deborah will be in Oregon again in February. Spring Break plans are not done, but Deborah has a conference in New Orleans in mid-April, and we will be there for my Birthday, April 16th.
I woke up without an alarm, and it was already sunny. I reheated coffee and found that I had, yes, no bananas. I did not sing about it. I found my office; it had not moved, but it was thick with paper that needed to be filed. I started on the blog, called the church to taked to the admin, Wendy, about items to fix after some rough spots in the church council, and did my usual morning items.
I also looked up, later, the church conference vote to increase the Pastor Expenses the church covers by a surprising $2,000, from $3,000 to $5,000. This was also a surprise at the same church meeting. I learned it was voted in at the final hours of the annual church conference meeting. Not sure I understand where the conference expected each church to find an additional $2,000. I am frustrated by it.
I download my transactions into Quicken and check that I understand all of these items. I was surprised to see a seldom-used credit card flash an expense from Costco, and I understood that was my card re-upping for another year. I was already getting ready to report it when I remembered Costco doesn’t take AMEX, and I have the Visa for that. Ok.
I did not find the focus to finish before 11 and finally got the blog out nearer to noon, and finally showered, dressed, and all of that. I then headed out and decided on Pastini in the Cedar Hills strip mall and had their lunch specials. This chain place is better than the usual, and I like their lunch. The wine is overpriced (as it is all over Oregon), and I took water instead. It was an excellent late lunch; I was again after 2 for lunch.
Next, I stopped by Office Depot and got a short case of paper for the printer (but the discount is only when you buy $100 or more) for too much money and a few transparent folders for travel. I often put back the case when they do the bait-and-switch and get one ream of paper, but I liked the box and would have paid the same over time.
Next, I went to REI and found some summer shirts in the back on 50% off. Sadly, I later learned that about 50% needed a larger size. I will return them and try a larger size. All good.
I returned home, having tried to cover my travel needs (but will try again) and my printer. I then finished the laundry, cleaned up the house, and chatted with Deborah. I brought more order to the house and then headed to Taco Bell and grabbed a late dinner of a (clearly neither) Mexican Pizza and some tacos. I took it home and ate it at the house while I brought more order to the house and finished the movie Midway (panned by many, but I like it). I folded the laundry and finished the first season of The Borges (and I think I will skip the rest). I also finished the book Sugar King and found it an interesting tie-in to what I learned from my trips to New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
The family was bought out in a messy breakup of the sugar company in the 1950s, which left the land with developers rather than the sugar company. The land was made into new cities, but big oil and chemical companies also came and poisoned the same places. It is a terrible story, Cancer Ally.
With the laundry put away, the bed remade, and a new book on my now-charged Kindle, A World of Curiosities (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel), I climbed into bed. I set an alarm for 6:30 for Tuesday morning gaming.
Thanks for reading!
