Remember us?

It's been a long time friends. I'm hoping you haven't completely given up on us. Levi & I are still here, doing fine, just haven't really been a part of the blogging world for a few months. As usual, I've been meaning to post for a few weeks now & I'm finally getting around to it. Rather than overload you with our happenings since March, I'll share with you some of my highlights, with a little update at the end.

Some recent favorites:

• A trip to Minnesota for the wedding of close friends & out to the Penick family farm in Ohio. This included a hilarious evening of mustache drawing, an epic midnight dodgeball tournament, & play with cows
• The Portland Heifer volunteers (I head down there again on Friday!)

• Climbing my first 5.10b at Vantage

• Climbing in general: the challenge, the peace it brings me, the views, the friends new & old
• New life at my friend Gretchen's farm in Monroe
• Levi's excitement over a new baseball season, especially listening to him & Chris discuss the minute details of their fantasy team while on a bike ride
• More time & fun with Joy
• Continuing a great tradition of spending Mother's Day weekend with both my family & Levi's family at an ocean cabin--this year was Long Beach
• The Round at the Fremont Abbey (monthly collaborative live arts event with musicians, slam poets & painters). I've been going for a couple months & hope to continue. Last night was exceptional. The music, especially Shelby Earl, was incredible, but what really got to me was the painter, Danae' Clark. Seated next to the stage, her canvas was a checkerboard of small, separate square pieces. Audience members were encouraged to come up, one at a time, select a square & sit with Danae' while she paints to the sound of the person's heartbeat with the help of a stethoscope. I had the privilege of sitting with Danae' & it was incredibly moving. I sat motionless, extremely aware of my own heartbeat, the music & memories & the woman next to me painting by the beat of my heart. My heartbeat painting is tucked away--perhaps someday soon I will scan it to share.

And now for the update...
Yet again, I am facing an uncertain time of waiting in my life. Like business everywhere, Heifer is suffering & the announcement was recently made that Heifer will be laying off 20% of their staff. No one knows yet who will be affected, but it's certainly a possibility that I could lose my job. It's a strange situation to find myself in, only 20 short months after being hired for the job I waited four years for. I have mixed feelings about it all but can assure you that if I do lose my job Levi & I will be fine. At times I feel anxious & restless, other times resigned, & sometimes even excited.

We hope you are doing well--our love & best to all!