I've been crazy busy. Too busy to think. And certainly too busy to write. But I wanted to let everyone know that we are still alive and kicking. Between Daddy's school, DQ's dance, LP's medical appointments and my own ever-expanding job commitments, I hit the ground running at 6:30 AM and don't stop until well after midnight anymore. I'm exhausted and overcommitted- although admittedly most of these commitments aren't mine- but life is good and I am generally pretty happy. :-)This weekend the family went to Friday night Shabbat service, as we've taken to doing for the past few weeks. We've found a lovely, welcoming synagogue (templebe.org) and a Rabbinical Associate who's willing to work with the Dancing Queen around Little Pom's dialysis schedule. Service *always* starts at 7:30, so this past Friday, we left with plenty of time to eat dinner beforehand. We ate at a Baja Fresh just across the street from the temple and we ate well: chips and salsa, fajitas, mexican rice and beans (well, not for me or LP). We were STUFFED by the time 7:30 rolled around. Well, we booked it across the street and parked. When we got to the synagogue doors, we saw the sign: "Candlelight Service 6:00 in Chapel"We'd missed it. Missed it by a mile! However, there were about 5-6 people coming out the doors who were extraordinarily friendly and so very sorry to hear that we'd come for service. One of them (who later turned out to be the President of the Congregation) said "but you're in luck! You're just in time for Shabbat dinner! Stay here- I'll go pay for you." O.M.G. We were soooooo full. But he took off before we could stop him and that's how we found ourselves eating two dinners in a row on Friday night.The food was amazing. It's too bad that I was already so stuffed I could barely eat. But we all picked at enough of the lovely meal to allow our table-mates to feel confident that we were sharing in their bounty. We did not have to force ourselves to partake in their company though. They were active conversationalists and very, very friendly. I feel blessed that we missed service because it allowed us the opportunity to meet people we might not have at a post-service mingle. We left very full...in a number of ways.
Sorry it's been awhile since the last post. We haven't had our Comcast service transferred to the new house yet, so my internet access has been limited. This is the first time I've tried to post a blog from my cell phone. Thank goodness for Palms and the ability to cut and paste, eh? So, here's the latest:Good news: We're IN! Admittedly, we're in on a short-term lease until we're able to build the deck over the porch...but we're in the new house and loving it. It's roughly the same size as our apartment, but you'd never know it, because we all have our own space...and there's a basement, so we're not climbing over mounds of dialysis supplies in the middle of the living room anymore. LP has been sleeping in his own room every single night since he moved. For eight and a half years (nine, if you count pregnancy, LOL) he's been near me every night...if not co-sleeping, then at least within arms reach. Not anymore. I'm proud of him and of course, it had to happen, LOL...but a part of me misses him at night. :-)More good news: Some transitions at work have resulted in a new job title for me. I'm not Macomb County Habitat for Humanity's Marketing and Public Relations Manager. Fancy-schmancy, huh? This too is bittersweet in some ways, since it relates back to that "crappy day at work" post from a while ago. But I'm holding in there and keeping a brave face and high (well, as high as I can fake) spirits.Bittersweet news: Little Pom was medically cleared to be a part of the Make a Wish program. He's very, very excited and we are too. Admittedly, it SUCKS that he qualifies, LOL, but if you have to go through everything my kidlet has gone through, it's at least nice to get some small favors out of the deal, right? Being his fathers child, his #1 wish was to go on a ghost hunt with Jay and Grant from TAPS on tv! 
He has to give them a selection of wishes though, so his back up's are: going to California to meet Tony Hawk, the skateboarder or a trip to either the Nickelodeon Hotel or the Nick Cruise ship. We'll see what they can arrange. We should be hearing from his (brace yourself for the coolest job title ever) "Volunteer Wish Coordinator" in 6-8 weeks for the formal Wishing Ceremony. I'll keep you updated.And finally, the not-so-hot news:An update on the "redacted" post that most of you read before I took it down. Daddy had his meeting with the C.O. yesterday and was reduced in rank back to Staff Sargeant. While he thought he'd prepared himself for this, since it was the most likely outcome, we had heard rumors of some leniency...like a suspension of the decision for a year after which it would go away sorta thing...that didn't actually happen. :-( He's built his whole life around the military and so, this hit him really hard. It'll be two years before he is eligible to make Tech again. From what we heard, it would've been worse (the C.O. considered taking 2 stripes) but advocacy from his direct supervisers on his behalf resulted in just one bump instead of two. Still, it SUCKS and while my husband is honorable to the point of stupidity sometimes, I still don't think it was right or fair. But it is what it is and we'll get through it. Before:
After:
If this whole "Palm posting" thing works, I'll try to keep y'all better updated until we get our service transferred to the house. That's all for now though.
