I haven't been to this group in quite a while.

[murielm99]

Where is Rev. Cheesehead? Is she all right?

[Critters2]

1. She's been around a bit lately. She posted in 54nickel's CPE thread.

Don't know how she is, really. I may pm her to ask.

[murielm99]

2. Thanks. I was a bit worried. n/t

[RevCheesehead]

3. Hi muriel!

I'm around, but haven't posted much, since there are many, many changes going on in my life.

1. I have taken family leave, as of the end of June. My dad has dementia, and is showing more signs of decline. I want to enjoy being with him while I still have him around.
2. I am beyond frustration with church life, and desperately needed a break. Not just a move (I was there six years!), but a complete separation. I chose to take both family leave and personal leave, for a minimum of a year. We'll see how I feel later on (they need to know by the end of January if I want to come back next year). Frankly, I don't see it happening anytime soon. I got no support from the conference leaders, and they really didn't care that I was three hours away from my dad. So during this time, I will be considering other career options. Right now, I have nothing left to give, and just need time to heal my wounds.
3. I moved on July 6. The night before I moved, several church people came over to help me pack, and during that time, my orange cat, CC, escaped. All my cats are strictly indoor cats, so I was pretty frantic. He has not yet returned home. I don't know if he's alive or dead, shacked up with another family, or hanging out with the lady ferals. This has been rather traumatic, not just for me, but also for Oreo and Keith - they miss their brother! :(
4. I've moved into a lovely apartment with a loft, and it's huge! I am still unpacking, and really look forward to making this place MY HOME. No more parsonage! Yippee!!!!! :bounce::bounce:
5. In time, I may end up looking for a job, but for now, I'm just settling in and getting used to being a person again. :)

Thanks for asking. O8)

[murielm99]

4. I am so glad to hear from you!

Those certainly are a lot of changes in a short period of time.

I hope you are able to find the right way and the healthy way for continuing through your life.

I am sorry about your dad. My dad is 83, and also in the early stages of dementia. It is a difficult thing.

You were the first person here to comfort me when we lost our 13 and 1/2 year old dog Emily. I still miss her, because they are family, not to be replaced. We do have another dog, but she is Kinsey, not Emily.

I hope for the best for your cat. We once lost a cat for the entire fall and winter. Someone took him in and put an ad in the paper. You may be welcoming him to your new home yet.

I'll look for you here once in awhile. You have friends here.

[RevCheesehead]

5. Thanks so much, muriel!

:hug: Bless you for your words of encouragement!

[Critters2]

6. Rev, thanks for this update. I hope this break from the parish is good for you,

and that you're able to enjoy the time with your dad. I'll never understand why responsible people in an appointment system don't make family considerations the first priority, but I suppose that's not my business since it's not my church. Still...

Oh, and about CC--my Leon was once gone 3 1/2 months. I figured he was dead, hit by a car or something. I was devastated, though it was odd to slowly come to the belief that I'd never see him again. So, I adopted Shadow, one of my foster kittens. Four days after I signed the papers for Shadow, Leon showed up on my back deck, dirty, flea-ridden, and thin, but Leon nonetheless. So, CC may come home yet.

Again, thanks for the news. Take care of yourself!

[RevCheesehead]

7. Thanks, Critters!!

I can't tell you how encouraging your story of Leon is to me! I've been crying the last two days, figuring he's gone forever, probably dead, and I'll never see him again. I just wish this wasn't happening 200 miles away from me. Fortunately, I've got good friends who are still looking every day for him.

Oh, please - by all means, go ahead and bitch about the appoinment system. It royally sucks, and is probably the main thing which is driving me away from ministry. Too many friends have asked why I don't go ahead and start my own church. Can't say I haven't thought about it. :evilgrin:

Again, thanks for the words of hope. I really needed it today. :hug:

[wryter2000]

8. So sorry about your dad and the job stress

Take it easy. :hug:

[RevCheesehead]

9. Thanks, wryter.

Just got back from taking my dad to the doctor. He's developed Alzheimer's related Parkinson's. :(
It's been a very hard day. :hug:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Sorry to hear that--my dad had Parkinson's, and my stepfather had Alzheimer's

but both together--yikes!

Yes, the Methodists' appointment system always seemed a bit harsh to me. Both the Lutherans and Episcopalians use a "call" system, where the parish and the clergy person have to be mutually agreeable.

I hope your kitty comes to his senses and returns home soon. :hug:

[RevCheesehead]

11. Thanks, Lydia.

The doctor said it's not as severe as if he developed Parky's disease - these are the symptoms, but they can be treated rather well with medication. Now we know why he fell, so I'm really glad he got to the doctor.
And as to the cat, .... AMEN!!!!

:hug: