Home again after a long, full week work week. We were short-handed this week by three staff members. We have six staff members. So I did a lot of the "putting out fires" work – which can be very satisfying yet sort of disorienting. I get nothing done on the long-term projects and feel further and further away from a real sense of accomplishment.

One very nice thing did happen on this first week back after vacation. It was the season for salary review. I guess I was found satisfactory for my boss handed me a piece of paper to sign that showed I had received a modest raise. That helped with my attitude adjustment, so it was a pretty good work week, even with its shortcomings.

Next week will be very busy. I have three new hires to train – 21 hours out of my 37.5 hour work week will be used toward that end. My voice should be very tired by next Thursday night, and I won't much want to speak once I leave the office each day!

The rigors of training always take a period of adjustment. When I am only doing new hire training, it is harder on my physically than when I'm doing upgrade or roll-out training and I spend every day talking for 15 weeks. Funny what we can adjust to, eh?

Hubby and I went out to the theatre last night. We saw a wonderful production of See How They Run done by the local repertory theatre at the local community college. They did such a great job, I can't remember when I last laughed so hard. We have season tickets. Next month's production is a musical and we are both looking forward to that.

Okay with activity this week. Okay with appetite. I think my calorie counts have been all right, although I'm sure I skewed a little too high toward the empty calories.

Tomorrow will be a big exercise day. I've planned a three hour bike ride as a sort of test. Hubby and I want to do a local bike ride that includes "all" of the city's bridges. Sponsors guesstimate that their ride should take four hours. I think if we can ride three hours tomorrow, and keep our training up, we will definitely be able to ride for four hours by mid-August. We will leave the house very early in expectation of returning home before noon because it should be another scorcher tomorrow.

My weight is still at a plateau, but I feel solid (strong) in my body and happy with where I am. This is all that I wanted from this CK program: A healthier weight, healthier eating habits, and healthier activity levels. For a small person, when I am healthy I generally lean toward the muscular side of the spectrum. At 61 inches, it is not unusual for me to weigh 140 but have a body fat percentage of 28%.

Let's see, what else has happened this week: I've watched a movie recommended by my dad: What the Bleep Do We Know. I understood it as an exploration of quantum physics as an evocation of God's presence in all creation. This is most interesting coming from my dad, the avowed atheist. I will watch the special features which included some interviews then look forward to calling my dad to talk with him about the movie.

In my reading, I am still following the bunny trail which led me to war correspondents. I've found the author Chris Hedges to be interesting. I will probably work my way through two or three of his works that my library carries. Most interesting to me: I don't believe in atheists. That one I will probably have to purchase. Unless it is a keeper, I'll donate it to my library when I am through.

Finally, and for all you faith fans out there, is the question of my attending church! Will the Otter end up in worship this week? That's the $25 question! Hec if I know at this point. My morning meditation and prayer time has been extraordinary this week. My conversations and connection with others are also in rare form. I feel closer to understanding what I want in church, but not closer to understanding if hubby and I can find together what we need. There is a new church that opened in my neighborhood a little while back. I am curious to visit this new place at least once.

Next week holds promise of some life altering events. Meeting with my spiritual director early in the week, going to a Christian Book Club later in the week.

Okay, off I go to have a Friday evening. Shalom y'all!