In case you were wondering...

Why yes, I am alive, as a matter of fact!

And I'm back to the blog--at least for today.  A couple of evenings ago I thoroughly enjoyed a trip down memory lane as I reread my Michigan summer blog.  What a wonderful summer that was!  And not least because it was recorded and shared as I went.  It made me really want to blog again--both for the writing and the sharing.  We'll see...

So, here's a brief update on my life of the past few months.  Without too much thought about importance or comprehensiveness, here are Five Things of Note.

1. Texas
I survived classes.  Enjoyed living in a hotel (not everyone's favorite, but without a family left behind, I enjoyed the gym, the ready-made meals (no grocery shopping! no cooking. lots of healthy choices), someone else cleaning up after me, no commute time, all that jazz).  Had some fabulous weekends (Grandpa's mission, Marylynn and family, cousin weekend, OKC tornado cleanup, and Arkansas).  Loved being close to a temple (and had a car to access it for the first month, thanks to Joseph and Maren).  And had lots of time (see above (hotel living) + no calling + no access to most of my "to dos") to do some fun things (like sew, shop, exercise, etc.)   Anyway, it was a good seven weeks.

2. Car
Less than 24 hours after returning to Vermont (a lovely, summery, green Vermont), I bought a car.  Not fancy, not new, but my miracle that I had felt the Lord would send me when I had the money ready.  The first few days after I had it, I thought a lot about a country song backwards (if you're not familiar with it, you should definitely listen to some Rascal Flatts).  Job, house, car.  I sort of feel like I have my life from 4 years ago back--only, it's not.  It's better.  And I am so much better (but also a little damaged still, more about that in a couple of weeks).  Those things are all a lot less important than I used to think (important, but less important).  But anyhow, I'm grateful for the car.  It's lovely to be able to run errands, make visits (one of my callings involves lots of visit, the other two could use some, and, of course, there's visiting teaching, too), and just be lazy occasionally.  I also have used it for the number one reason I got it--to be able to go to the temple!  Nice trip to Boston on July 5-6, and to Montreal today (neither of which led to ordinance work in the temple, but that's another story).
Oh, car's name is Loxy and she's a Honda Accord.

3.  Vacation
And less than a week after getting back, I left again for "the West."  A crazy combo of travel (car, bus, plane, car, no sleep) got me to Idaho for a Checketts Family Reunion.  Wonderful few days.  I mean, wonderful.  Then down to Utah for Asael's wedding (SL temple, beautiful sealing; incredible luncheon put on by ARE & Co; and fun reception that evening.  And fun times in Bountiful.  And visits from and to some of my dearest friends (all of whom were roommates at some point--one of the greatest blessings of not getting married, amazing roommates for over a decade--I have been so, so blessed).  Does every part of that trip need a blog post, a journal entry?  Yes, it does.  But  at least it's getting some mention!
Two take aways from this amazing trip:  I didn't sleep much.  I just couldn't bring myself to do it.    As I said then, "I can sleep in Vermont. I cannot spend time with family and dear friends there. As long as I don't get sick (and I won't in 6 days--and happy to pay the price later), I will keep going."
(One particularly special night was the last night of the Reunion--and the last night before Asael's wedding.  Five of the M&M Checketts children went out on the porch away from the tents, out of the lodge, and talked late, late into the night.  We decided it was Asael's "bachelor party"--so we discussed the worldwide missionary broadcast, our take aways/goals from it, and a dozen similar things, prayed together, etc. I guess that's our kind of pre-wedding party--and that's why I love, so love to be with them!)
Second take away-- as I've thought several times since then (and told a few co-workers who've asked about my trip): It doesn't have to be a long time, if it's with the right people. I was completely rejuvenated.  Filled emotionally and spiritually.  I can't explain how incredible it all was, but I came back healed and whole--and ready to face my life here (which I actually enjoy quite a lot, it's just--not exactly lonely, but not emotionally rich).  I am grateful for the sociality we enjoy here!

4. Garden
I got a community garden plot again this year.  But then I got assigned to go to Texas for most of May and June.  It's a bit difficult to garden if you're not around for May and June, so I let it go.  But I wanted to plant something on my balcony (I have a huge balcony that wraps around 3/4s of my apartment) when I got back.  Maybe time to grow something?  Well, I was prompted to consult with Roland--and boy was that a good idea!  Between his engineering, his own gardening and his constant efforts to create urban garden cubes, he helped me figure out how to utilize my space, sun, etc.  I drilled milk jugs onto the top of my railing (max sun up high, also the jugs are mini greenhouses) and planted a few short-season plants.  On day 4, I had a few baby plants.  Today (day 5) almost every jug is full of little plants.  Incredible.  I'm excited for lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and beans.  Oh, and basil and flowers were already plants, so I'm enjoying them now.

5. My body  (mostly nutrition)
I don't know that I've blogged about this--my family emails have been full of it, but I haven't blogged a lot in the past few months.  I won't go into it in detail here, but I want to at least mention it.  Over the past few months, I've been learning a lot about nutrition.  Up until this spring, everything I knew about nutrition was from example--as I've learned, I've realized how smart my mother is.  And from her example I now a lot more than I knew I knew.  But without explicit learning, I just chose not to follow her example in a lot of things, not realizing the effect it would have.  Anyway, besides learning a lot from those realizations, I also have learned tons about nutrition.  Still so much to go, but making progress (both in knowledge and in application).  Asael's study help. The church's resources were great springboards (let's hear it for providentliving.org!). And, surprise!, cousin Marlynn (who I spent almost every Sunday in Texas with) studied nutrition for bachelors, masters (and hoping to add Ph.D soon)--M is enough older than me that I didn't really know her and when I found out this little fact (among so many other awesome things about her and her family), I was touched by the tender mercy of it all.  It has been invigorating to learn new things!  Just to learn, to know how to learn.  And then add to it, to have knowledge that is helping me take better care of this gift from God that I love so much.  And add to that, to learn (through study and application (ie. faith)) things that will have a major impact on my ability to mother.  And finally, of course, like everything about our bodies/God's creations, there is so much symbolism to learn about our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Also, I'm trying to exercise.  Texas was good.  Back on night schedule (with hot days) makes it hard to get in a rhythm.  But I decided to do a team triathlon (thought maybe individual triathlon, but not enough time for that)--only we cannot find a swimmer!  Still haven't given up hope...  Stay tuned on that.

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So there you go, some things about my life.  If my intentions play out into actions, there will be posts with pictures, and creations, and maybe (big maybe) details about some of the things mentioned above.  (If you have any requests or questions, hey, ask away.  Interaction is much more likely to get me blogging.)