Mini Sabbatical

Well...

Remember me? It's been a while, and I'm not sure why...for some reason I just haven't felt like blogging lately - I can't really explain it.

I've been busy - I know, I know, that's lame - but it's accurate. Ever since school started and everybody went back to school, my schedule has been thrown into chaos. I'm not finding a happy place yet.

I have new responsibilities at work. When the first school director transition happened, my involvement at the school expanded a lot - that is to say that I was very rarely involved before and now there are several things I'm doing to minister to the kids, families and employees there - and I think that's a good thing! I'm just not finding a happy place yet there, either.

I've got a "FOR SALE" sign in my Mustang, and an ad on Craig's List. This is bummin' me out. Don't get me wrong - no one forced me to put it there. I'm just driving so much - taking kids to school, picking kids up from school, dropping off papers at the school, going to and from work, etc., that gas mileage and car wear and tear are beginning to concern me a little. I've dropped some major coin into the Mustang in the past 16 months, and I'm a little gunshy about how much the next repair may be. All that's the practical talk - now the sentimental / emotional stuff: my Dad gave the car to me. He and I have been talking about / looking at / admiring / drooling over Mustangs for as long as I can remember. I remember when he was shopping for it - looking through ads together, listening to him haggle with guys on different cars, dreaming about driving together. Ugh - the thought of someone else driving my Mustang is not favorable.

Along with all of that, I haven't really felt like I've had much to say. SHOCKER! I'm not usually the one at a loss for words, but recently the thought of putting words out there has not been exciting me.

OK. Now - about this mini-sabbatical thing. This week I'm on what First Protestant Church refers to as "study leave" or a "reading week." It's two weeks a year to plan, read, reflect, refresh in a vocational type way. I'm hoping it does the trick for me. Here's what I hope to accomplish this week:

1. Planning
I'm going to do some planning / studying / plotting for WNL (youth Bible study), FOCUS weekend, FPS chapel and Kids' Connection, along with other FPC-related projects.

2. Reading
I like to read fiction. My favorite author is Ted Dekker (dude - he's killer) and he has a few books out I haven't read yet. I'm hoping this gives me some refreshment / relaxation.

3 Lunches
I'm going to have lunch with each of my kids this week. Elijah on Tuesday, Phillip on Wednesday and Katy on Friday (I had lunch with Anna a couple weeks ago for those of you who were wondering :). On Thursday I have a tentative appointment with a friend I haven't seen since high school who lives with his wife in Austin.

4. Geo-caching
I really like doing this, but I don't ever make the time. Maybe this week I can squeeze in a few caches and put the traveling bugs I've had for the past 4 months back in play.

5. Nap
I'm usually on a 1 nap a week schedule, and I've been missing it for the past few weeks. I'm not looking to catch up, but the prospect of a possible nap one afternoon this week is wondrous.

6. Blog
I've gotten more than one comment from people who are upset with my lack of recent blog-itude. Maybe with the break this week should provide, I can climb back in the saddle.

7. Wii
I have a couple of Wii games that I haven't even tried. It'd be nice to spend an hour or two here or there vegging out.

That's about it! Here's hoping that me and my happy place can get re-acqainted!

Until next time (sooner than later) - RevPhil