Septic

 Sigh.  

Our yard is filled with holes and my house is overflowing with boxes. Everywhere I turn I see more boxes, moved furniture and items waiting to be boxed. I can't watch television anymore because of the anxiety that it causes. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to escape the physical and mental chaos surrounding me at the moment. 

In order to sell our house we need to provide an inspection certificate stating that the septic system is in operational order. I have been worried about the state of our septic system because every neighbor has experienced catastrophic failures. After much digging and deliberation, it was determined that the majority of our septic system is just fine, with the exception of the blown pump. 

About 9 years ago we experienced a lightening strike which resulted in a mixture of damage, including blown electronics. Because the pump was covered, we had no reason to suspect that it was impacted by the strike. But the burnt marks on the nonfunctional pump is a pretty good indicator of the cause of damage. Regardless of the cause, a new pump has been ordered and will hopefully be installed today. Once the system is cleared, the holes and be filled and there will be no more barriers to our move.

Fingers crossed!

Still Hate Texas

 Perhaps in what ultimately became an act of grace, I have been so busy that it has been relatively easy for my mind to become distracted from the pain I feel over the decision to not indict the officer who killed my brother. Lt. John Ellen received the news that he would return to his life without consequence.  When I think about it I become so angry and upset that I cannot focus. At this time, I need to keep the pain contained and out of my consciousness because I would not be able to focus if I allowed myself to ride the wave.

Because the weather was gorgeous on Saturday we all put on gloves and worked in the garage. Within three hours the structure was purged, cleaned and organized. My home is being transformed into a maze of boxes and furniture. It is hard to believe that we are going to be in a new home in three weeks! 

Today I am back to work, organizing and packing. Right now, I'm so grateful for the distraction to keep my mind from Texas.

Broken

 Yesterday we heard that the State of Texas will not indict Officer Ellen (at least I have a name) for shooting Jae Friedman in the neck during a mental health check on April 3, 2023. Blind and in a wheelchair because of an above knee amputation which was the result of prisoner medical mismanagement, Jae's killing was condoned as appropriate.  This will never be okay.

I'd say God help us all, but I no longer believe in a higher power.

Wolf

We spent this past weekend in Altoona PA at the SciFi Convention. While Scott and I sold FlexyFriends in the exhibitor hall, Timmy and Rob explored the convention. Between the amazing cosplay and the retro video arcade, the boys were in their element. One of the opportunities presented at the convention included petting and posing with a wolf. Of course Timmy was all over this and began to plan his photo on the first day.

Sunday morning we dressed and headed down to the vendor hall. (I was wearing shorts, which is important for the story.) Knowing that the line gets very long, Timmy and I headed straight to the wolf encounter. Even though we were early, we still had to wait. Because each interaction takes 10 minutes, the line moved slow and there was much time for anticipation.

   

After waiting for nearly an hour, the curtain draws and it is time for us to enter. Timmy's smile is huge and he starts to bop up and down. Out of nowhere, a guy steps right in front of Timmy. I didn't see this dude swoop in but he nearly knocked us over as he elbowed a pathway through our bodies.

Looking ahead he muttered,  "I have a disability, so I'm going to go now. You can wait." 

 

The worker opens the curtain, and the dude saunters right in front of both Timmy and me (holding but not using his cane). The curtain was shut in our face. I was gobsmacked. 

 

The worker smiled, shrugged, and whispered "You understand, he has a disability." 

 

I think she thought we would be okay with it?

 

Before I knew what was coming out of my mouth (that happens to me sometimes), I said while not whispering "If he is going to play the disability card, he damn well better make sure he is going to win." 

 

The dude opens the curtain and glares at me. 

 

So I said it again, in case he didn't hear me the first time from behind the curtain.

 

"If you are going to play the disability card, you need to make sure you are going to win. I have also been standing for almost an hour, which is not easy to do with a single leg. In the hierarchy of disability, I win but I still waited my turn because that is what decent f*cking people do."

( I then extend my prosthetic leg Rockette style and hold it out dramatically for all to see.) 

 

The worker, who quickly claimed she did not see my carbon fiber leg, started to stammer. The dude turned as red as his hat and went back behind the curtain. An individual dressed like Strawberry Shortcake clapped. Spiderman gave me a high five and some anime character I didn't recognize offered me a fist bump. 

 

Our wolf encounter was comped.

 

 

We did it!

 We celebrated Walking Day by signing a contract to purchase our new home!

I am ridiculously excited to check "locate dream home" off our to-do list. Scott and I have spent the past three weeks driving throughout West Virginia in search of our new home. It took us longer than we anticipated, but I can promise that the wait was worth it. This home is amazing!

Signing the contract started a brand new countdown clock. We go to settlement on both homes on or before December 9. Yep, we have less than one month to move.  It's a good thing I've been packing for months!  The next few weeks are sure to be chaotic and frenzied as we pack up two decades and prepare to embark on a new family adventure.

Walking Day!

 Happy Walking Day to me!!

21 years ago I crutched into the prosthetic office, terrified and exhausted from the physical and mental ordeal. I did not know what to expect, but I was hoping that the pain would be gone when I tried to walk. I will never forget how foreign it felt to be walking without pain.

 Yeah.  After last night's election results, I'm not even going to try.