http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/site/index/ en robbie@supportthewall.net Copyright 2010 2010-01-28T10:46:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/focus/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/focus/#When:10:46:00Z So I think I might give up TV for a while. Right now I’m watching a replay of the Nadal/Murry “dream-quarter” of the Australian Open. And while I really do enjoy a good tennis match, I’m watching TV, again. Whether it’s this show or that show or this “reality” competition or some other sporting event, here I sit, watching it on TV. These guys are out there trying to win the damn Australian Open, and I’m paying someone else so I can sit and watch’em do it. I’d like to turn this 42” plasma into a mirror so I could sit and stare at myself staring at something for hours on end. I’m sorry but I know far too much about the life and times of people in Salem (Yes, thats Days of our Lives Salem) to justify watching another second of television. Enough of this high-def hypnosis. Think about Federer? What it must feel like to be an athlete at the pinnacle of that sport. The freedom of movement their bodies must have. Agile and precise. The sheer central nervous system processing power. The dedication it must have taken to develop such a synergy of mind and body. I’ve tasted that. I’ve even seen it up close. (And I have a Nick Bollettieri Reserved Parking space sign to prove it.) Now, I basically live my life in a 90 degree angle. Sometimes on wheels, sometimes prone in bed, sometimes staggering unbalanced up a flight of stairs and sometimes hanging over a treadmill struggling to steer this broken vehicle down the infinite road to nowhere. Focus. I envy the focus of these athletes that achieve greatness. I envy the focus of anyone that can resolve the infinite possibilities that life presents us with and zero in on one point of success or accomplishment. Those who put the time in, work and who can chisel away at something for years sculpting their own destiny.  Those who manifest. I would like to have that focus. Alas, no matter how much I stare, the TV will not provide it. What does it take to be really good at something anyway. Can we all be “Federer good” at one thing? I’ve heard say there is a 10,000 hour rule. 10,000 hours huh? Ok, lets get started. What am I gunna do now? But I’m interested in so much. Care Code, exercise, technical analysis of the stock market, software development, video editing, chaos, writing and the list goes on. There is so much I want to do and learn about and the worst part is feeling like I have shortened the time I have to do it in with this injury. If not from lack of motion and being sedentary then from wear and tear on a body with poor circulation and various other “complications”.  Some muscle groups on and hyperactive and some off, already dead. It’s kinda like being torn apart from within. Not to be so graphic or morbid but sometimes the words just fit. It’s funny, I can write the most horrible things with a smile on my face when I feel that I have accurately expressed myself. Focus. How can I lead a fast paced, go get’em, kick ass and take names lifestyle when everything takes me 3, 4 or 10 times longer to accomplish. I get up, go to the bathroom, take a shower, get dressed and hours have gone by and now I’m exhausted because I’ve basically been fighting my own body to accomplish these mundane things that most people can do without thinking or much effort. How can I achieve any velocity or momentum in my life when it is literally riddled with speed bumps?  I have a family now and along with it, tremendous pressure to provide for them. Sure Mandy will continue working, but I know she would rather be with Emilie and that going back to work will tear a little piece of her heart out. Having Emilie is the best thing that has ever happened to us, but it’s also a reminder of how much this injury will continue to effect our lives. But, so will my daughter. Can I use her as a lens to help focus my life? Lead by example right? Wow. As I was writing this Nadal just retired with a knee injury. I hope he’s ok. Gotta go, after that the TV is gettin shut off.. 2010-01-28T10:46:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/emilie_birth_story/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/emilie_birth_story/#When:01:19:00Z I’ve been meaning to post an update for days, but sometimes I like to let things build up before I write about them. Not in a suspenseful way, more a vomitus, think before you speak exercise. Marinate, metabolize the moment.  Also, it’s not often that I find myself wanting to say so much, and at the same time, be at a complete and utter loss of words. Sometimes life comes at me so quickly there’s no time to digest and express. Just handle it, write some things down and move forward.  Hopefully I can return to it later and make sense of it, whatever it was. Two times in my life so far it has changed fundamentally and dramatically. One was not expected and one was indeed carefully engineered.  If you’re reading this blog, chances are you know about the former. Let me tell you about the latter. The birth of my daughter. Emilie’s Birth Story: December 26, 2009. Mandy and I had to get up early that morning. We had errands to run. We needed to stop by the Leesburg fire department to have our child car seat installations inspected and we needed to stop by the Birthing Inn to fill out some pre-registration paperwork…just in case.  By 12:30 we had accomplished both and with a great deal of satisfaction we headed off to one of our favorite restaurants to share a light lunch and celebrate being completely prepared for the birth of our first baby. Green tea, water with lemon, a Caesar salad and a bowl of crab bisque.  Satisfied and now satiated we headed home to relax, watch a movie and wait. Although months in the making, now that our due date had come and gone (December 25th) Mandy now felt to me like a ticking time bomb of life… Back on the ranch (Nina Ct) I was setting up “The Hangover” in the DVD player and Mandy was walking Marley in the brisk winter afternoon.  She came in from her stroll and promptly made haste for the bathroom.  I remember it vividly as she walked through the line of site of the DVD remote while I was navigating the menu only to return several minutes later and declare that something funny had happened on her walk. A flow of some sort.  Nothing too substantial but enough to change, so she did. Then we settled in for the movie but had Tom put our hospital bag in the van, just in case… Play. Opening credits and again Mandy is off to the powder room. “Rob its green; I think you better call the midwives.” At 3:47pm I began timing contractions using the Contraction Master iPhone app.  From the beginning they averaged about a minute in duration and were about five minutes apart.  We were in the car now heading to the Birthing Inn. Sure enough they wanted us to come in because it was green, but we were convinced they would turn us right around and politely ask us to come back when Mandy was actually in labor.  The next hour was a blur, but I can almost recall it in slow motion. Our hypno-birthing classes were in the same building so I had made this trip about six times so far but here I was making it for the first time. During the ride the intensity of the contractions had increased, but when we got there we decided to bring just one small bag in since we would surely be turning right back around. People had been talking about how funny “The Hangover” is for days.  I remember feeling a little frustrated that I probably wouldn’t get to watch it, then laughing at myself.  I still haven’t seen it. As we entered the labor ward we met a lovely Indian woman whose daughter had just given birth to her first child after about 26 hours of labor. I’m sorry, I think you misspoke. Twenty-Six hours? She looked tired, but she was a new Grandmother and her tears betrayed her excitement. We chatted for a moment and then we were whisked off to an assessment room. Swab. “I’ll be right back” Chimed the nurse.  Mandy and I had but a moment to look at each other apprehensively before the nurse returned to inform us that Mandy was indeed in labor and that we were being admitted, post haste. The issue was green. There was meconium in the water which could possibly complicate things and in the worst case, become very dangerous. Here the story bifurcates.  I mean I’ll do my best to explain what the birth experience was like for me, but you’re really only getting half the narrative.  One day hopefully Mandy will write her version down and complete the picture. Mandy was in a gown now with a wireless fetal monitor transmitting bits of labor data to a computer across the room. I requested a crash course in diagnostics. Our truly wonderful midwife Paula had arrived and was digitally accessing the situation.  With deft interphalangeal articulations of hand she quickly determined that Mandy was 4cm dilated. The contractions continued to increase in intensity, but this increase was not accompanied by louder moaning or shouting.  This was not a Hollywood birth. Although periodically she was visibly uncomfortable, Mandy remained calm and relaxed and very aware.  At about 6pm she was 6cm. Progressing quickly, but becoming very uncomfortable. She decided to get in the tub. This was apparently a very good idea.  Shortly after she got in the hot bath our doula arrived and began some soft massage, got her ice chips, cool rags and helped with positioning. Life saver Kristina, thanks.  This time in the tub I think helped Mandy deal with the pain so she could continue to relax and let her body do its thing. By 8 though she was ready to move out of the tub and back into the bed. Paula took another “look” and with encouragement told us that Mandy was now 9cm, 100% effaced.  Mandy said she felt ready to push, so with Paula in the ready position, Kristina holding one leg, and a second nurse McKenzie holding the other, the pushing began.  I remained at the head of the bed, sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, encouraging when I could, remaining silent and just holding a hand or stroking her hair when I thought that was a better tact. Mandy’s mother sat across the room, video camera at the ready. What I remember most about the next two hours is the jazz hands that Mandy would make preceding every contraction. Ok. Ok. Ok. Here it comes….Jazz hands……now puuuuush! Was she really dancing while she was in labor? This went on for about an hour. Paula then informed us that our baby was sunny side up, which basically means that the widest most inflexible part of the skull would be exiting first. Hi mom, can you feel me now? The option of an epidural was offered because there was a risk of Mandy exhausting herself from pushing with no progress, but Mandy declined. The dancing and pushing resumed.  You go Mad-Dog. At 10:16pm I saw my daughters face for the first time.  I happened to be standing at the time so I got a good look. Most people will tell you that babies are not pretty when they are born. Not mine. She was gorgeous. A little grey-scale, but perfect. I didn’t know she was a she at the time, most of her was still in Mandy, so it was kind of a gorgeous androgyny, but she/he was still gorgeous. 30 seconds later and slip (Mandy insert more accurate adverb here), out came the rest of her. Clamp. Clamp. Daddy, would you like to cut the cord?  Picture a somewhat boney, very shaky and unsure hand wielding surgical scissors inches away from a newborn child. I’m laughing as I write it, you might as well laugh as you picture it. Half-assed Snip.  Snip.  I released an audible sigh of relief and fell back into my chair exhausted.  All this watching Mandy work for six and a half hours had taken a toll; I’m swollen with pride as I write about the experience.  Except for a little baby poop and culinary metaphor, it went down exactly as Mandy and I had intended. It’s fresh enough in my mind that I still feel a little strange writing about it yet at the same time I feel an instant comfort and familiarity in fatherhood.  I’ve been writing in the living room, listening to music and Emilie is crying in the bedroom.  Both are beautiful sounds to me. Poor Mandy is in the bedroom with Emilie, probably in tears because her baby is crying and she doesn’t know why, already worried sick about doing right by her, giving her the safest environment and being a good mother.  Is this the blessing and the curse of parenthood?  One paralyzed with hope and the other with fear? Not that I don’t worry about being a good father or about providing my daughter with every opportunity and keeping her safe.  But right now Mandy and I are having two completely different experiences. To be sure our experiences diverged dramatically as she began growing a human inside her nine and a half months ago, but only over the last week and a half have I really started to feel bad about it.  She’s up and breast feeding every two hours, some times less. When we are in the same room, occasionally I’ll look over and Mandy will be asleep with Emilie latched on literally sucking the life out of her.  Don’t get me wrong, I think breast feeding is a beautiful thing (don’t take that the wrong way either), and sometimes I’m jealous of their connection. But this is so much more physically exhausting and in turn emotionally draining for Mandy than it is for me.  Hang in there baby, it will get easier I promise. Two weeks in, here’s what I’ve been able to gather: Mandy, once again, has knocked it out the park. I’ve satisfied the prime directive and she’s adorable. A spinal cord injury will make you feel like the same person in a new body. A body that doesn’t behave like it should.  Physically disconnected from the human experience. Having a child has made me feel like a new person in the same body. Literally reborn, with a greater understanding of what it means to be human. These past two weeks are nothing compared to what the next two weeks will be, and that’s what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life. 2010-01-12T01:19:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/the_great_baby_blizzard_of_09/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/the_great_baby_blizzard_of_09/#When:18:06:00Z It is really coming down out there now, 18 inches so far.  Looking out the basement door the stairs have lost all definition and instead remind me of the 10 foot drifts at Crater Lake.  I’m cozy, cooking in front of my parabolic heater with the Yule log DVD on repeat.  Mandy, at 39 weeks of winter bloom is snuggled with Trinity and Marley on the couch next to me. This is nice… These last few days have been especially nice. A few nights this week we stayed up chatting about how life will change, what the baby might look like, what the birth experience will be like.  We’ve talked about some of our fears and some of our hopes.  How will the animals behave? Is this really happening? Last night the baby gave me a back massage…through Mandy’s belly! It was amazing.  I want this baby here NOW!, but, considering my van is under a foot and a half of snow, I could be persuaded to wait a few more days **Update** Mandy is no longer snuggled in with the animals. She is shoveling the basement steps so Marley has a path to pee.  That woman couldn’t sit still if you paid her to. Anyway, 6 days and counting and its all I can think about.  Boy or Girl? Blue eyes or Brown? Tennis player or really good tennis player? I’ll be posting when labor starts, probably something short just to let everyone know.  Thanks for checking in.  I’ve added some maternity shots to the photo gallery. You can check them out here.  Enjoy and everyone stay warm! **Update Again** Tom just used the snow blower to blow snow off the deck, directly into the path Mandy just spent 10 minutes digging for Marley.  Nice one Tom 2009-12-19T18:06:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/32_years/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/32_years/#When:02:33:00Z So this will be the last time that I celebrate a birthday as someone without a son or a daughter. Thank you for joining me. Here, for eternity, is what I know so far and what I want to record at this moment. Sorry for the scattered nature of this post, I just wanted to get it out. 11/02/1977 – life. Family. Greenport, Long Island. Music. Then,I Discovered friendship.Lost my father. Its funny, I really don’t remember the exact date. Lung Cancer. It’s more a smell than anything else, a chill in the air. Every fall I feel it, some time in November. A seasonal emptiness. Then,I Discovered mentors and college friends. Found love. Mandy.Apprenticeship. Narcissus and Goldmund. I knew it was special as I was living it thanks to a friend. Hoboken. Sparta.Injury/rebirth. Turmoil. Sadness. Peace. Hope.IVF. 32nd birthday. 11/02/2009. 11,689 days since the beginning of this thought experiment.I’m curious about the next 32 years. Statistically, I feel like I’m halfway there.What have I done with my life so far, for there truly is time for naught but bold resolves….I have Loved. Lost. Learned. Made Life. Tried to help others. Asked myself important questions.Am I happy? Yes. I have some moments of self doubt. Regret. But for the most part I smile.Where am I? A section of rock called Virginia, U.S.. On the precipice of fatherhood. Self-indulgent. What do I understand? Futility. Hard work. Love. Onomatopoeia. The double slit experiment. You.What don’t I understand. Everything else. Entropy. What do I think about often? Solitude. Gratitude.  This cathartic moment. DNA. Poetry. How I got here.What will I try to pass on. Curiosity. Rhythm. Love. Happiness.Thanks for reading,Rob 2009-11-03T02:33:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/we_were_on_the_news/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/we_were_on_the_news/#When:18:41:00Z Rob and I were featured on the 5:00pm news tonight- Channel 7 WJLA-TV’s w/Greta Kreuz.  Check it out http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0909/660559.html 2009-09-18T18:41:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/3rd_annual_run_for_robbie/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/3rd_annual_run_for_robbie/#When:13:27:00Z Happy Monday Everyone! Well it’s that time of year again. This post is to announce the 3rd annual Run for Robbie 5k/1k. The race will be held on September 12th and will take place on a beautiful cross country route through historic horse country in Leesburg, VA. The route consists of mostly grassy terrain and rolling hills. Runners will catch a glimpse of the Morven Park Mansion along the 5K route. The fundraising component of the race will be slightly different this year. Instead of proceeds going to me, all proceeds will go to Care Code, Inc., which is the non-profit Mandy and I have started to help other people who have suffered a Spinal Cord Injury. At Care Code, we give out grants to send people with SCI’s to exercise based recovery programs like Project Walk, the program that has helped me so much with my recovery. You can learn more about Care Code by checking out the website at carecode.org. In our first year we would like to send 20 people with injuries to recovery programs, which will cost about $50,000, so any donation would be appreciated. We will also be holding the 1st annual Care Code benefit dinner the evening of September 12th. This years benefit dinner will be held at the beautiful Lakes Recreation Center in Ashburn Village, VA. If you can’t make the race, but will be in the area, we would love to see you at the dinner! (There may be a special appearance by DJ BOBO-Flex!) Tickets for this event are also available online at Care Code’s website. To make a donation to Care Code: carecode.org/donate For information about Run for Robbie: runforrobbie.com For information about the Benefit Dinner: carecode.org/dinner Remember, Care Code is a 501 (c) 3 so your donation is tax deductible. No amount is too small or too big. You all have helped me soo much in my recovery and this is my chance to pay it forward and share the joy of beating the odds. Lets put people in the gym and help them walk again! In other news, we just had the 20 week sonogram and everything looks well. Aside from some pretty bad congestion, Mandy is a wonderful pregnant woman! She’s getting bigger every week and I’m continuously amazed by her changing body. I’m keeping busy with Care Code and reading about babies and fatherhood and the like. It’s all very exciting. Well thanks for checking in. I hope to see many of you at the race and/or dinner on September 12! Rob 2009-08-17T13:27:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/weve_been_keeping_a_secret/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/weve_been_keeping_a_secret/#When:20:29:00Z Hey Everyone, I posted a new video, you can check it out over in the video section. Also, just an FYI, I’m working on re-posting the “Stairway” video as youtube marked it for copyright violation. As always, comments are welcome. Thanks 2009-06-16T20:29:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/father_figures/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/father_figures/#When:13:46:01Z I recently had the occasion to think about my father. To those of you who visit the site and don’t know, he passed away when I was in high school.  And while I would give anything to have him back, I can’t help but ruminate on the positive things that have happened to me as a result of seeking, and finding, various father figures throughout my life. Four come to mind:Bob Gargulia. Bob and my father were doubles partners. They both had a similar “deceptive presentation” on the court. They also shared a wonderful sense of humor. Months before my father became sick, as a gift, he had purchased me a week at the Nick Bolitary tennis academy. We were to go together, father and son. Unfortunately, by the time the trip came around, he was just too weak. So I went with Bob. I’ll never forget cruising the Florida highways, top down, listening to Muddy Waters, trading stories about my dad and laughing. I could have spent that time being depressed, wishing I was there with my dad, who was dying a chemical death some 1000 miles away. But it’s not what he would have wanted, so Bob didn’t let it happen. He helped me to realize that even in the toughest of times, when it feels like your circumstances are holding you captive, a smile will set you free.Dennis Erani. Dennis and my father also played tennis together. My sister, Elizabeth, was nanny to his two children for some time and I could, on occasion, be found sweeping his tennis court.  The summer after my sophomore year in college I was obsessed with making money. I was working three jobs, sometimes four and running myself ragged. Dennis saw this and one day he pulled me aside and sat me down. He said “Rob, why are you doing this to yourself?” and I responded, ”Dennis, I want to be rich!”. He smiled with a smile I’ve seen too many times in my life, that smile that says “Ohh Robbie, you’ve got it all wrong…” He asked ”Can I give you a piece of advice?” “Sure”, I responded. “Rob, Family is the key. Build a family that you love and love the people around you. That is real wealth. Everything else will fall into place.” Years later, Dennis would make another connection for me that would profoundly change the direction of my life. Dennis and Bob have both come to visit me several times since my accident, and each time they have brought with them fond memories of my father and the support and guidance that I would have received from him, were he still here.Walter Zielenski. After I graduated college I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do.  So, I went to see Dennis and he connected me with Walter Zielenski. Walter runs a small software development firm and was doing some work for Dennis at the time.  I knew nothing about writing code, but Walter decided to take a chance. I spent the next several years drinking from the fire hose that was Walter’s shadow, developing my skills as a programmer and cultivating the seeds of business acumen.  Walter was a pleasure to work with, but he also played no small role in the development of my personal life. He helped me realize what a catch I had with Mandy and was there when I proposed to her. Not literally there, for those of you who know THAT story, but we were on vacation together and he helped me pick out the ring. He was with me when I bought my first house, conveniently enough a stones throw from his own. Over the years he has helped me to shoulder some of the greatest responsibilities of my life, which in my opinion, have helped enabled me to shoulder this injury.Wayne Richmond. Oh Wayne. The irony of Wayne is that we called him El Diablo, but he really has been more like a Shepard. I met Wayne through Walter and we were instant friends. We both lived in Hoboken, about a block way from one another.  I can remember vividly a conversation with Wayne at the Mile Square restaurant in 2001. I had just spent about 30 minutes outlining how the remainder of my life was to proceed. From where I would live to what I would be doing, how I would get there, when I would go…everything. And when I finished, Wayne looked at me and smiled (yes, that same aforementioned smile). And I said “Hey, what’s so funny?” And he replied “Rob, you would be laughing too if you knew how different your future will be then what you think.” Talk about your nail on the head! Wayne and I continued to become better friends, and despite having sworn off the concept of marriage, he stood with me the day I married Mandy. On a side note, Wayne is now married with a beautiful wife and daughter so Hah! El Diablo, God plays dice with us all!These have been some of the salient moments in my life. And while no one could ever replace my father, thanks to these moments and these men, I feel like no one would ever have to.  With that said, here is what’s been going on since my last post. I got a van!!! I’ve been trained with hand controls and have been tooling around northern Virginia for practice. I’m posting some pictures in the photo gallery. I also think I’ve found a PT to work with. She’s familiar with SCI’s and used to work at the NRH, but left to start her own practice in Annandale, VA. I’ll let you know how that works out.  Anyway, this was a long one so I’m going to cut it off there, thanks for checking in. 2009-02-04T13:46:01-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/stairway_to_heaven/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/stairway_to_heaven/#When:17:18:00Z Once again I have to begin with an apology for not updating as frequently as I should.  To make it up to you, I have posted a new video called "Stairway to Heaven". It’s captures me ascending the basement steps with my...well just check it out in the video section. Although I say in the video it is dedicated to the doctors I have encountered during my recovery, I would also like to dedicate the video to my friends at Project Walk-I am sorry I cannot be there with you for this years Steps to Recovery.  But keep up the hard work- I’m talking to the trainers and clients alike.  In other news, Mandy and I have finalized the purchase of my van.  The driving system is currently being installed and should be ready by the end of this month.  I done several hours of driver training with hand controls and I am excited and ready to get back behind the wheel.  As far as recovery is concerned, as you can see from the latest video, I am still progressing and getting stronger each day.  I now have a climbing harness in the basement that is suspended over a treadmill and I have been spending about 2 hours a day on it.  I cannot walk for 2 hours but I am on my feet the entire time and periodically take a few steps.  This has been especially important lately as I have been battling a pressure sore (my first)!  It is healing up nicely-thank goodness.  Thanks for checking in and thank you all for the birthday cards and wishes!    2008-11-08T17:18:00-08:00 http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/3_years_and_counting/ http://www.supportthewall.net/index.php/Monroe/updates/3_years_and_counting/#When:19:04:01Z Sorry it’s been awhile since my last update. I haven’t really felt like things have changed since my last post.  However, today on the 3rd anniversary of my accident-a major BREAKTHROUGH:  I am pleased to report I just finished clipping my own fingernails for the first time in 3 years.  Mandy is so bummed because she just loves clipping my nails!  As small as an achievement as that may sound, it is a gigantic leap towards independence in my mind.  Speaking of independence and breakthroughs…today I was also able to get out of the basement completely unassisted.  Let me briefly describe what is involved in this feat.  Step 1:  Transfer out of wheelchair onto workout mat. Step 2:  Tie a rope to the back of wheelchair. Step 3:  Transfer back into chair and wheel over to the basement door.  Step 4:  Stand, rotate chair and insert rope in mouth. Step 5:  Hobble up stairs with rope in mouth.Step 6:  Sit down at top of stairs. Step 7:  Pull wheelchair up the stairs with the rope. Step 8:  Sit in wheelchair and untie rope.Step 9:  Call Mandy and brag about what I just accomplished.  A tad risky of an activity I realize but well worth it in the end?  In other news, I am still working on purchasing a wheelchair accessible van which has turned out to be a fairly overwhelming process. There are just so many choices and only 1 shot to get it right.  I do hope to be behind the wheel in the next 2 months though.  We are pleased to announce that a renter has moved into our home in Sparta and is planning to purchase the house in the next 6-12 months.  We are glad to finally have some financial relief from our mortgage payment even though the rent does not cover our mortgage completely, it does help immensely.   As soon as the deal is final, we’ll let you know! Well I"m off to the dentist to get a few cavities filled this evening . What a great way to celebrate my 3rd anniversary:(  At least this weekend I’m heading to North Carolina for a long weekend at the beach with family!  Thank you all for your continued support.  The last 3 years would have been much worse without you all behind me. p.s. This is Mandy sneaking into this post.....Rob doesn’t know this yet but we really aren’t going to the dentist.  A bunch of us our surprising him with an anniversary dinner!!!  Love ya Rob....hope you enjoy yourself tonight!!! 2008-08-20T19:04:01-08:00