I am a lucky girl...

So, an update to the "Waiting" blog... MITCHELL GOT THE JOB! Yippee! It's been a long time coming, but it's good to be back where he started, and where our extended family of brothers and sisters are...Timberlake your are included in this don't worry! However, Mitchell put in 5 years volunteering with KCFR and hundreds of training hours so it feels really good to get back to those 'roots.' He starts May 1st and I am so excited for him to be in town again and back to a somewhat normal firefigher schedule (he used to work 48 on, 96 off- ick!)

Also, here at the winery we have had some big changes. The last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult and heartbreaking- laying off employees and having another quit- it's hard no matter what the situation to see someone you spent so much time with go. The lay-offs came due to us closing Barrel Room No.6 as a wine bar, however we are keeping the building and promoting it as a Private Events Facility which is booking up fast!! (Call me if you need a place to party!! wink wink) So, essentially, Kimber and I are the only ones running everything. Luckily we have Meghann also who works part-time and is a huge asset and is our glue sticking us and everything together. So, I no longer am strapped to my desk doing accounting and HR, I am now the events director and administrator...basically everyting but accounting and HR :) It's a lot of fun, and if you know me, you know I like to throw a party or a gathering of some sort, so it's a good fit. This first week I have 4 events and it's just getting busier! I do wish however that 'upper management' would have taken more responsibility in a few things (ie-guiding employees and keeping things very vague) but I guess that comes with any management...but I still have a job, so I have to be the best I can be.

If you haven't stopped by to see Debs lately, please do. She is slowly becoming more and more immobile and tired making it difficult to do....well anything really. I think she really needs some boosting and some optomism right now. She is essentially living groundhogs day (same s**t different day) sitting in the same chair, watching TV as she can't do anything else. Sitting in her chair is actually starting to become difficult- she can no longer lift her head, so it is supported by her hand which as of last night is losing its strength as well. If you don't know, Debs has lost mostly all movent to where all of her actions and movements are assisted. She is lifted from chair to chair and 'shuffled' because she can no longer walk or even stand on her own. The ALS is starting to really progress through out her limbs making her more and more imoblile, but luckily a few of us are strong enough to lift her from place to place. Her breathing is outstanding though, which is really good news and she is of sound mind just like always. We also just got her eye-max back. The eye-max is a device that reads her retinas!! It's pretty crazy, but it follows her eyes and when she blinks it selects and speaks whatever it is she has typed with her eyes! It is pretty neat!

So, as hard as it is living day-to-day with the in-laws and caring for Debs in the evening and through the night, I still feel very lucky and fortunate. I am lucky enought to be in good enough health and sane mind that I can take care of Debs, and do it compassionately. I have a good job that I enjoy, I am able to seek a higher education and pay for it, I have a roof over my head and food in the cupboards, I have a HUGE and FANTASTIC family that I love spending time with-each and every one of ya! My friends are amazing and right there waiting for you whenever you need them for a beer, a good talk, or to lift you up off the pavement when the two have combined a little too much...and there when you never thought you would need them when you aren't really sure you can go on. And my husband, my God my husband. What a blessing he is. I never thought I could ever love him so much, and just when I've reached that level, I love him even more-and he loves me right back :). After nearly 9 years together, I still can't get enough of him... I still get giddy when he calls me and my heart skips a beat when he gives me a smooch...even on the forehead! I am lucky enough to know the blessing of being pregnant and being a mother, even if my babies are angels. Hopefully I will know it again soon...

I am SO lucky.