April has come and gone and we are about to turn the calendar to May. Just like the past month has been active, so will the present month. The weather is trending cooler than average, at least through Mother’s Day. But May will not be at a loss for things to do, despite the unrelenting high gas prices. Some days will bring more excitement than other, but then again every day for me is a blessing. I’ll be starting season two of The Pitt, giving a speech (on sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders), and starting another new book. In addition, I’ll be in the market for two new reads that I’ll begin later this Summer.
May 15 is two weeks away, but I can barely hold in my excitement as I will be en route to the other side of Pittsburgh. The event marks the end of an era. It’s the final conference, as District 13. Our Toastmasters district will be merging with District 10 (which encompasses Northeastern Ohio) to form the new District 219. This new era begins on July 1, 2026. This is the third year in a row I’ve gone to conference. I took a few years off due to COVID plus getting established at Giant Eagle, though I did attend the 2021 Spring Conference online. With the merger happening, I’m sure that this will be a bittersweet sendoff. The keynote speaker is going to be a former Toastmasters International President.
As always, there will be fun, fellowship, and a full agenda that includes two speech contests.
My little “niece” makes her arrival this month. This is my adopted, fashionable sister who’s expecting, just to be clear. The one whose baby shower I attended last month. I learned of her pregnancy when we caught up in January and gave her a Winnie the Pooh blanket for the nursery. I’m looking forward to meeting little Chloe Grace and congratulating the new parents. I hope we can all meet at Christmas and take part in Chloe’s First Christmas.
May marks 25 years since I gave my life to Christ. I got saved at a church event while I was going to school at the Hiram G. Andrews Center/Community College. Ah the good old days of living in Johnstown. It’s been a ride ever since. I’ve recently been away from the church for an extended period of time but I am slowly making my return. Going to Bible Study at Cutie’s has been a nice restart and I will continue to do that as the weather and other circumstances allow.
I attended Community Church in Harrison City last week and enjoyed myself. I will return later this month. These next two Saturdays I will attend Saturday night services at Cornerstone. I was a member there for several years before I left in 2021. It was right before I started working at Giant Eagle.
I don’t want to get into detail about what happened. I was going through a lot with my health and my job. Fortunately, I’ve righted the ship with my health and will be getting my sleep apnea treated. I’m also in a good spot with Giant Eagle as I approach five years with the company. The best thing to do was to step away from the church. Four and a half years is a long time but it is what it is.
I returned a few times during the Easter season in 2023 as well as the holidays in 2022. I’m confident yet still have some qualms. We’ll see how the next two Saturdays go before I return in June. I am looking forward to meeting the new pastor and feel kind of bad that I missed Pastor Donn’s last service at the end of 2024.
Prayers for a good visit are greatly appreciated.
Finally, Cutie’s Coffee is beginning another year of Bible Study. Weather permitting, they will have the first one on May 4 and then schedule it every two weeks. I’ll be back and in addition, will be attending church as well. I stopped in for a visit on Thursday and got the Blueberry Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte. I wasn’t sure what to pick, and the barista was helpful in finding the right choice for me.
The new summer menu makes its grand entrance on May 23, and of course there will be a market in the morning. The new upstairs seating should be ready soon. I’m thinking that my first choice off the summer menu will be the PB&J Latte!
May is looking like a good month, maybe not initially weatherwise. It’s because I have a lot to look forward to with the conference and going back to church. I also have some new books I’m interested in buying for the summer. Season 2 of The Pitt is definitely on my watch list, as well
Stylish 🍒 