My new ward

So, I finally went to my new ward yesterday. I say finally, but it's only been three Sundays since I could have gone as actually living in the ward. The first Sunday I went to my old ward because I wasn't able to go the week before that to say goodbye, and last week I went to my parents 40th anniversary party. So this was the first week I could really go.

My sister and her children came up this weekend to check out the new place and help me get my condo set up to rent (mostly done, but still have some stuff to do). It was a lot of fun to have the house full. I'm really getting used to this family visiting thing. My condo was too small for family to really come visit - so hopefully this will happen more frequently - although I know not as often as I've had family visit me recently - every weekend. They left about 11:30 Sunday, and then I quickly took a shower and got ready for church. I procrastinated a bit (when do I not), and got to church about 1:05, and they were already into the first song. So I sat in the back.

This building is kind of small. It's kind of a cross between the Vallejo building and Chapel on the Hill. Probably built around the same time. Anyway, the chapel organ reminded me of Vallejo's, but the seating was like Chapel on the Hill (two big rows instead of one really big middle and two small side rows). The chapel opens to the cultural hall, which is where I sat. The missionaries came and sat by me, but didn't talk to me. Someone else grabbed their attention at the end of Sacrament. And before I could leave, the Relief Society President came by and introduced herself. When I introduced myself, she said, "Oh, you're friends with Victor..." When I introduced myself to the counselor who conducted, he also said that - so obviously Victor talked some about me. Dang. I hope my calling is in Young Womens.

Victor's family wasn't there, which filled me with panic (I was set on sitting with them and at least knowing them), but soon found Sherrie B (for those that don't know, I try to withhold last names for privacy), who used to be in my old ward. So it was great to see a familiar face, along with Robert, who I know through Victor's family. Relief Society went well. They have an atrium in the back of the room, which used to be a window opening to a courtyard, before they had to fill in most of that for more space. It's nice and I think I will be looking out during not as exciting RS lessons (although I hope to be in YW). The lesson was great. A woman about my age gave it. I'll have to get to know her. There were quite a bit of kids there, which makes me think there are a lot of people about my age - didn't seem like an old ward. Which is good, as I miss all of my similar age friends from the old ward (Shawn - I include you, not that you should question that).

The counselors are great. I actually talked to one of them before due to work (the building official where I work is LDS, and the second counselor is the building official for one of the towns nearby).

All in all, it should be good. Of course you'll always miss your old ward, but so far I have good first impressions.

Sleeping on the train

I went to my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary Party this weekend (post to come), and since my Dad was coming up this week to help me on the new house (and the condo), he said to just get a train ticket to come home. So I ran around taking my dogs to their sitters, and made the train (only because it ran about ten minutes late). Then after grabbing something to eat, I took a nice long nap. They're not the most comfortable chairs to sleep on, but when you're tired - they work. And it's so much nicer than driving while tired. I really wish they had a good train to get me from my area down to Disneyland - I'd do it so much more often. Let someone else drive, I'll just sit back and relax!

I love it when I get my way

So, I called Dish Network to see about moving my service to the new house. Now for those that don't know, Dish Network has been losing a lot of subscribers recently. Knowing that, I went into this conversation (approximate dialogue):

DN: "Hello Dish Network, how may I help you?"

Me: "I'm moving, and I'd like to know more about your DishMover program"

DN: "OK, you just leave your satellite dish at the old place and bring your receiver and remotes to the new one."

Me: "Do I have to sign up for a commitement again?"

DN:.... "It looks like they're going to have you commit for 24 months."

Me: "Then I think I'm switching providers [and I would have - either AT&T Uverse or DirectTV)"

DN: "Let me see if I can get around that. OK, I'll do a no commitment service. There's normally a charge for that [$99, I checked it out], but I'll waive that."

Me: "Thank you!"

I had a feeling they'd say that when I called. I didn't want to commit to them for two years because (1) with potential job loses where I work, I think it would be foolish to commit for something that long - you just never know, and I'd hate to be stuck paying an expensive satellite bill when I could just watch things on regular TV if worse came to worse, and (2) I might want to sign up for DirecTV before that - and get to see my Cougars on the mtn. For now, I'll just have to see if my favorite people in the world (I know you might be reading this, Shawn) will invite me over to watch Cougar football.

I got the house

The house is mine now! I'm responsible for two mortgages (gulp!). Hopefully the condo will rent out once I have the place cleaned up. It's really a nice condo - it should rent out quickly. I'll update with more photos when I get a chance