Apparently All My Absences Are Long Ones...

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.

Reporting In After a Long Absence

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.

OMG, We're Moving!!!

As of this evening, the carpet will be in the upper dormer/master bedroom of the new house, the lease will be signed, the deposit dropped off, and the moving can commence! Which is really good, since technically we have to be out of our apartment today, LOL. But given the New Years weekend, I'm feeling fairly safe in taking the next few days to move. Of course, it doesn't help any that we spent the night at the ER with Little Pom. He's developed a urinary/bladder infection which is pretty painful. Plus, for some reason, his catheter isn't draining at *all* but all of a sudden he's urinating the conventional way and often! The often part is most likely due to his UTI, but the conventional way part is just plain ole surprising. The ER team flushed his catheter twice, and ultrasounded his bladder to make sure he wasn't retaining fluid. So, all of this adds up to a big "hmmmm....." Not sure what it means yet. Everything checked out, and yet he continues to penis-pee and his catheter stays nearly dry. Is it silly to hope that this could be a sign of miraculous recovery? :-) Eh, after the year we've had, I'm not going to be that hopeful this soon. But still, it gives one pause.

So anyway, after our trip to the ER, the move schedule is a bit messed up- we have NOTHING packed at ALL, since we were not sure exactly when we'd be able to move. So now, the big day is upon us; we have 3 solid days (we lose Friday because of the ER last night...had to change our days off) to move a household. I think we're basically going to approach it as if we were just going to switch around rooms in the apartment: take everything out of DQ's closet, drive to Eastpointe, put it in her closet there....and repeat, LOL. 

So, busy weekend ahead, but also some intriquing possibilities for 2009. If I don't post anything between now and then, I absolutely have to say:

GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2008

and

A blessed, peaceful and healthy New Year to you all.  HAPPY 2009!!!

More Renovations

Long Time, No Post...with Pictures

I just realized it's been about 2 weeks since last I posted. Things have been crazy busy. I've been drafting several documents for work- in addition to coordinating a number of media and event opportunities- that have kept me super busy. That, coupled with our work on the house and LP's daily care...not to mention the holidays...have kept me from having much free time. So, here's a quick update.

When people talk about what holidays they do, I usually say that we start at Chanukkah and work our way through towards New Years. So, this year, The Dancing Queen lit her funky hanukkiah and we lit my amazing modern-art version that I got from www.moderntribe.com. I would post a pic, but they no longer have it at their website and mine didn't turn out well. I'll try again later and edit the post if I can get a good one.

On Christmas Eve we went to the Castle (don't ask...ugh!) and then to service at our UU church. The Interim Minister did an absolutely lovely service, although I must say I was a little shocked when I opened the order of service and saw FOUR homilies on the agenda, LOL. They were each about 3 minutes long though, so it all worked out well. Then, we came home and crashed.

Christmas Day, we opened presents:






For those who may be wondering why *I* am not in any of the pictures, it's because I was too busy taking them with my new hot-pink digital camera!!!

The big reveal came when LP got to open his BIG gift....so big, it had to be wrapped with an entire room, rather than some pretty paper:



When he opened the door (we even let him use the key!) he saw that Santa (AKA Grammy, Poppa and Great-Nana) had delivered his biggest wish....a Power Wheels!!!



He was jumping up and down and shouting "Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah! I got a Cavalier!!" ROFL It took us awhile to explain to him that a red Mustang convertable was WAY, WAY cooler than any Cavalier. :-)

Of course, it says a lot about my kid that (other than the hot rod) his favorite present was a sock monkey:



My other favorite holiday moment came when DQ opened her stocking. She is NEVER without a lip balm or three...so she thought it was awfully funny that "Santa" put TWENTY different kinds in her sock- all flavors and brands!



And finally, my biggest joy of the season: my kitchen is DONE!! And it's beautiful!!



We hung the border today. It matches the border in the bathroom and the wallpaper we plan on hanging in the hall once all the furniture is in place. I'm just over the moon...I think it looks like something straight out of a magazine. :-)

I'm exhausted but blissed. More later, but until then: Happy Christmakwanzahannuhyule.

Counting Blessings

Today, I received some work-related news that totally blindsided me. It is what it is, but it was hard to get through the day today and keep a smile on my face. I spent my day feeling really sad, confused and hurt. So, I've decided, in keeping with my usually-optimistic self, to try and think of all the reasons why I *love* my job. We'll see if that helps.

1) I get to do tasks that I truly enjoy.

2) I have generally awesome co-workers...and those that don't quite count as "awesome" at least qualify as "amusing."

3) Our mission is something I wholeheartedly support.

4) I get along well with darn-near everyone I work with.

5) I get to participate in making a tangible difference in the world every day.

6) I take enormous pride in what I do. 

7) Our Board of Directors is truly an inspiring group of people. I learn so much from them and am grateful for the chance to know them.

8) 95% of my workday is spent doing projects that I'm good at, that I enjoy and that show off my best talents and attributes.

9) I have a high level of independance

10) I have an employer that is genuinely concerned about LP and allows me flexibility

11) 95% of the time, I feel truly supported by my employer.

12) In many ways, this is my dream job.

......well, in some ways that helped, but in other (fairly significant ways) it didn't. 

Times heals all wounds, right? 

I'm off to bed.

House Remodel Update