Okay, sorry for the long silence but last week was hectic. As I mentioned, I’ve been gifted a car and last Monday I went and got insurance for it so I could transfer the title. By waiting to activate the policy until today, I saved app. $200 in fees. Got a good deal, as I think I said last week, even though I am paying cash up front, it works out to about $55 a month for insurance.
I went today to transfer the title only to find out that Indiana BMV is now closed on Mondays. So, I will go early tomorrow and get it transferred (hopefully no problems or delays).
Spent a lot of time last week at Church, as we had multiple services and special events. Think I’ve mentioned that I am getting trained in how to plot out various services, and found myself helping to do that at Wednesday vespers. In fact, with our Deacon out, my baptism brother (we were Baptized on the same day) and I found ourselves drafted into doing the Chanter/Deacon part and got it mostly right. Thank goodness our priest could come over for part of the service and help us with the various tones and music. Getting the tones memorized (there are about 20) will be a challenge but is needed.
I also went Tuesday for massage therapy (such a blessing and has really helped with my mobility), then went over to an office supply store (more in a bit), and then to the outdoor outfitter to see if the Osprey pack I was given could be used for the pilgrimage next year. Sadly, the answer was no. The pack frame is a small, and if you’ve met me in person I am not a small-framed person. It literally was too small for my body. However, we figured out what I did need and they talked me out of getting a very large pack (100 L) and instead going with a 70-litre Osprey pack (plus a bit).
The frame is a Large/X-Large, and we now have it fitted to me. Need to do some smaller adjustments, but those will wait for load-out tests. I’m going to start practicing loading it for the trip, working out best placement for various items, and then going for some long walks with it to get things worked out. My goal is to have everything I take come in at about 40 pounds, as there is a 50 pound weight limit and I want a margin. As I progress, and work out at the gym, the outfitter is going to do more adjustments and help me get it dialed in as precisely as possible.
Nice thing is, for all I hated having to spend the money, it will work for this pilgrimage and any future such (really would love to get to the Holy Land one day), as well as for actual backpacking and camping. Again, an ouch but one worth taking. It also doesn’t hurt that they updated the frame system since the other one was bought and it does make a difference in keeping weight off the artificial shoulders.
I was also able to get an eye-doctor appointment set-up through my new (this year) insurance. That will be this week, but if things work out I should be able to get new glasses if and as needed this year, and then get prescription sunglasses for the trip next year for cheap or free. That’s the goal at any rate.
The office supply store visit had two purposes. One was to check out a TSA PRE option for next year, and to get a decent binder and some page holders (nicknamed page condoms at NASA a while back) for holding music and various other needed things at Church. As a Chanter I need the music not just for the liturgy, but also for some of the special services. I’m also dividing it up into sections for each service as I work on learning how to plot out those services.
I also met with my priest a couple of times last week on doing some of the prep work for the Saturday Vespers and Matins. I’m going to be learning how to get the right info into our standard form for handouts so that those are ready to go on Saturday afternoon.
We also had a Church cleaning day on Saturday, which was well attended and we even got some things done that hadn’t been done in a while. One of the people who volunteered was very enthusiastic to the point of dusting architectural decorations and other locations up high that have not been done in years. And it showed, and he even went and vacuumed in the sanctuary and other places that needed it after his work. I did a small bit, and managed to get my lower back very upset with me. Since my Godmother reads this blog on occasion, won’t admit to all I did, but I will say that I do enjoy making OSHA inspectors cry. Nothing too dangerous, but needed to get to a few places that hadn’t been done in years as well. Worth it though, as the sanctuary gleamed Sunday morning.
So, hope to get more regular posting done this week even with a few things going on. Most of the Church things are towards the end of the week, though I will be meeting with the priest of the local Romanian Orthodox Church on Thursday as he just got back from a sabbatical in Romania. He’s going to be showing me what apps were used there for payments and more; going over some of his lesson’s learned; and, he’s even even helping me with a Church to attend while I am in Romania (even though it won’t be for long). Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be filled with services, so might not be posting much at the very end of the week.
More soon, and thank you for your patience! As always, your suggestions, prayers and kind gifts towards the pilgrimage, the “new” car, and life in general are very much appreciated.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.