Looking For Yonder: STILL HERE!!!!

It looks like it has been over 2 months since my last post. Thus you can assume no major crisis has happened. It has been a pleasant couple of months with lots of activity. I helped coordinate one wedding for a coworker while attending another for a friend. Peter and I saw a GA bulldawgs basketball game. Mom and I visited Anna and her kids in Greenville SC, meeting their newest addition Isaac. I participated in three girl's weekend trips within 4 weeks. This past weekend Mom and I purchased and planted flowers in her neighborhood pots. (It is one of her ministries.) In the midst of this I have managed to work at my job, spend time with friends, see my therapist monthly, watch too much TV and keep my nails manicured.

There are no trips currently planned in the near future but I am not against jumping in on spontaneous plans. With that said I do love being home. If you haven't seen it, I live in a cute house with a porch swing that is next door to a park full of great sounds. My azalea bush is in bloom ad I have lots of pending craft projects. I am hoping to enjoy some home time especially with this beautiful spring weather. As we near the end of May, things will amp up at work as we prepare for summer. This summer our theme is Around the World in 8 weeks and I am really excited about the activities we are planning as we explore a variety of travel locations. I have been trying to make it to the gym a few mornings a week, spend time on my porch swing daily and listen to more audio books. I just finished The Keeper by Charles Martin and An Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton. I am in the process of working through Captivating by Joh and Stasi Eldridge. All have been worthy time investments.

Peter has taken responsibility for his life and it has been good to step back a bit. He texts me songs of the day and calls a few times a week to chat. We try to meet up for a meal every week or two. He and mom also usually gather for a meal at least once a week. I am proud of him. He has been managing his job at Lowes, his car, his housing and meds fairly well from best I can tell. He did talk me into preparing his taxes but he got the documentation together that I needed. I need to be honest though that presently I am trying to manage a little anxiety over anticipating a coming storm. Based on info from Peter, the mental health agency he works with switched him to a different office and doctor. It's a good thing because it is indication that he is doing well. They had him get some blood work done and the results for his liver have them wanting to do another test. I have no clue of really more than that. I do know his current medication can affect the liver as well as cause weight gain. Though heavier than Peter's norm he has been working out trying to keep it from getting out of control. I think he also benefits from being on a low dose of Olanzapene. My concerns are if they decide to switch meds that we could head into another downward spiral. He also currently does not have medicaide and the hospital recently charged him $1700 to draw blood (as he was instructed by the folks at Avita -the mental health agency.) He initiated applying for financial aide as well as medicaide for which I am really proud of him for being proactive. Peter continues to receive SSDI benefits which along with his Lowe's 25 hrs a week and susidised housing allows for him to afford his car, its very expensive insurance, food and a few other low cost luxuries. He is trying to put money into Savings as he isonce again talking about trying to go to school. This time to get his CDL license so that he can drive a truck. And if you have seen him drive, you know how I feel about that. However I applaud his initiative and chose to trust God with the rest. This past week he received notice that Social Security has overpaid him by about $4000 and wants it back. He called to tell me about it and we agreed it was crazy. He was reasonably upset but managed it well and said he would go talk with his support person at the Apartments who helps him with things like that. A montho ago he proposed that he and I go to Texas sometime this year. He wants to fly somewhere - go on a trip and I would love for him to have that chance if we can work it out. I recently received a contact for him to see about getting help with past medical debt as well as for creating a PAD (Psychiatric Advanced Directive.) I am hoping to get those initiated this Friday when I have the day off.

Mom continues to stay quite busy. She bakes her cookies for neighbors, the counseling office of our friend, and anytime I need cookies. She attended a bible study at church the past 6 weeks. With the warm weather the puzzles are currently set aside as whe works in her yard. Every year she says she is going to buy less and every year she finds more beautiful flowers that need a home in her back yard and now side yard. It currently is begining to burst forth with color.

This sounds like a belated Christmas letter as it recaps our various activities and news. You don't need all this info but in case you were wondering. To complete the Chirstmas letter vibe I will throw in a few pictures from the last few months. Thanks for listening and until next time, whenever that may be, thanks for being a part of our lives!