Things have been busy and lively for us of late.  Between Thanksgiving and
Christmas we took two 3 day trips to Chicago to see operas we might never see
otherwise.  ("Die Frau ohne Schatten" by Richard Straus and "Dr. Atomic" by
John Adams, for those who care).  Between living in a more isolated area and
Mike working on Sundays, and often on Saturday as well, we haven't been
getting performing arts in the doses the two of us need for our psychological
health.  But we can only justify the time and expense of going to Chicago for
operas we wouldn't see otherwise. Mind you, we're only in Chicago for about
24 hours, the recent of the time we are in transit.

Anyway, I've also been dealing with issues with our (seriously outdated!)
iMac from 2000.  Came to the conclusion it made the most sense to buy a more
recent model off ebay and further upgrade it.  Of course, nothing went as
smoothly as it should, so that took up extra time and frustration.  But I
needed to get that done to get the Christmas letter written and organize
photos of recent trips to print and take to Florida with us and for job
search stuff as below.  Oh, and our elderly TV was barely limping along.  No
one around here has a decent selection, so we bought one downstate on the
second opera trip.  But I'm in charge of all electronic connection in the
house and that took even more time and frustration.  The DishTV remote still
doesn't work the TV, but that's low on my priorities for now!

Then, we had various Advent and Christmas acivities.  When I cooked 5 times
in 2 weeks for church purposes - not for home! - I thought it was getting to
be a bit much!  Thank goodness for old standby recipes one can pull out.  
Mike ended up doing 3 Christmas Eve services, our two churches plus one
without a regular priest.  I went with him to two of the three.  Christmas
Day, we were up early to drive down to Flint and catch a 10:30 am flight
south to meet up with our families for a few days.  Of course, we'd bought
tickets for a flight 2 hours later, allowing a bit more sleep, but Delta
changed us and we weren't allowed to change the tickets back.  Don't you just
love airlines today?

Visiting over Christmas was interesting as always.  Fortunately, we weren't
sharing any viruses this year, though I was still recovering from yet aother
stomach bug picked up the weekend before.  I was definitely into full flare
though.  Even my knees, which have been cooperative of late are aching again.
Six months after stopping Enbrel, its lasting effects seem to finally wear
off, nd fairly rapidly when they did so.  Were it not for my pain meds, I
doubt I'd be doing much at all right now.  I don't see my RD until early
Feb., but it's time to talk about trying some DMARD again.  I'm holding onto
my last dose pak as long as possible.  (took one pack for the second opera
trip - gave me a couple of decent days then.....)

I did se a massage therapist in Gainesville a few times who does "lymph
system drainage" for fibro.  that sounded like what I really needed to help
with some of the lingering aftereffects of the biopsy.  I thnk it made some
difference, but i can't really tell until we get things a bit more "normal"
around here.

Over and around all of this has been Mike's job hunt.  We've decided over
this past year that we really need "sofcobert" in our lives.  That's our
acronym for "Symphony Orchestras, Fitness Center, Opera, Ballet, Ethnic
Restaurants, Theater".  One could argue that these are just amenities, but  
for Mike and I they are the things that feed our souls.  Those and *quiet*
time spent outdoors.  Around here, outdoors time should be spent hunting,
fishing or in a motorized vehicle, versus the tent camping and foot hiking we
prefer.  Anyway, Mike can't be effective as clergy for too long without the
things that feed his soul.  We both, but especially me, have suffered
health-wise from not having the exercise options of a decent fitness center,
too.

There are 4 jobs we are looking at now, 3 of whom plan to hire someone this
spring.  One is outside Buffalo, but not in the worst of the snowbelt.  
Another is in a Chicago suburb, where we could buy a variety of season
tickets for what the three trips to the opera cost us!  The third one, drum
roll, please!, is in Frankfurt, Germany.  I'm dubious about the last -
breaking in new docs while trying to get health issues under control is tough
enough without it being in a different country and different system!  I
finally agreed though to Mike applying and us seeing where God leads us.  
We've been doing that since Mike applied to seminary in 1999, I really should
be getting more accustomed to it!  LOL  The 4th job is back in our home area
of north Florida, but doesn't plan to hire until at least next fall.

Of course, you know who has been his proof-reader and electronics consultant
for all of these applications.   I gave up and got MS Office for the PC we
have for game playing to make sending application materials as attachments
easier.  Once again, it reminds me why I prefer Macs!  I spent all afternoon
yesterday dealing with that.  missed my nap - and missed one today as well
while i was cooking.  With the distinct possibility we'll be moving in 3 or 4
months, I'm trying to use up much of the food we have on hand!  (anyone for
lamb roast, Indian style with couscous and salad?)

Did I mention that I am getting really tired?  Been getting decent sleep at
night, but naps have been few and far between.  Definitely have one on the
agenda for tomorrow.  Oh, and we styed in Detroit for a cople of nights on
our way home from Florida to go to the Institute of Art (newly renovated and
reopened) and to see The Lion King on stage.  Couldn't hear the latter well,
but the costumes and the actors in them were amazing.  

Don't know how often I'll post, but I'll be lurking at least.  We have a lot
more to take care of in the next couple of weeks.  Everyone is in my thoughts
and prayers.