I am not sure how six months have flown by since I last posted. It seems like just yesterday I was writing that philosophical post about entering the fourth decade of this "crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life*" of mine. But, when I think about in a more analytical way (and with a calendar in hand), I know exactly where the majority of 2013 has gone:
April - We got the news in mid-April that the university where April worked would not be renewing her contract for 2013-2014. It was a real disappointment because we had received mixed signals about it for months and April had been giving her all (and probably more than was healthy for her to give) to try to earn their approval and get another year on faculty to teach and finish her dissertation. After all, if not for the severe medical circumstances she encountered, she would have completed the requirements on her contract. But, without departmental support or ADA protections, she was powerless to properly defend herself. Ultimately, we decided that this was a blessing in disguise because it would force April to focus on recovering, allow us both to concentrate on dissertation defenses, and job market opportunities where we could both work (since there was little Sociology professorships in CO anyway).
May - In May, we knew we had 1 month to make final decisions about where we would go post-Colorado Springs. As per usual Team Beattie moving plans, nothing worked out as planned. After much deliberation, we had decided on renting our house month-to-month so that we could continue working with April's doctors {though transferring health coverage from her job to Brett's job was a huge pain}. But, in late-May our landlord informed us that we had until the end of June to move out because the home's owners were moving back in. Lovely. So, with that planned scratched we had to pick between Texas (where my parents were) and Pennsylvania (back to our PhD institution to work with our mentors and where Brett still has his job). On the medical front, April couldn't get an appointment with the special mitochondrial specialist in Pueblo until the day before her health coverage ran out, so any answers would have to come later...on another health plan, and potentially after we lived in another state.
June - We were blessed with a miracle when Brett's Mum Lyn (Mama Beattie) volunteered to come over from Australia to help us make the move from Colorado to Texas. We had finally arrived at the conclusion that living nearer my parents was a better idea, financially and to support my health needs, than to be back in PA where the only benefit was to be close to academic resources which may or may not really have our long-term best interests at heart. So, for three and a half amazingly helpful and bonding weeks, Lyn traveled with us from Texas to Colorado Springs to Texas again with all of our stuff. She helped clear out rooms of clutter, put things in storage, etc., We couldn't have done it without her. In June we got the first results of April's test with the specialist which showed that there were indeed substantial problems and she needed a muscle biopsy. Due to the transfer issues with health insurance, we were unable to schedule this until late July.
July - July was the month that didn't happen, lol. Lyn left after the 4th of July holiday (no one had any energy left to go to the big fireworks displays, etc., but she was at least able to see the uptick in flags and sales on picnic and BBQ fixin's). The rest of the month, up until we drove back to CO for my biopsy on the 30th was a blur. I can remember many trips to the storage unit to bring home boxes of things we realized we did need after all. My Mom, Lyn, and Brett had carried so much furniture up stairs that I felt a little bad having them do it again once we cleared out the second bedroom, but it was worth it to give Brett his office space. Now we're just missing the black couch...but that is way in the back of the storage unit and I'm not hauling it out until it cools off more! I can remember a week spent in bed recuperating after the whirlwind of forcing ourselves to have done soooo much (and so much more physically than my body probably should have done). My stepdad turned 78 in there somewhere too.
August - I was still in a lot of pain when we celebrated our 1 year anniversary in early August. We forgot to email Brett's dad on his birthday (and we were so sure having gotten married the day before that we'd never forget again, but I think the Australia-US time/day difference thing is still not automatically clicking in my brain). Brett got confirmation of his appointment with immigration for our interview for his green card, and also was officially re-appointed to his job at our graduate institution. The school wanted him to go back there (instead of to the national conference) to see his boss/advisor and to re-sign his employment documents with his new status. My parents house began a slow transformation as we helped (forced?) them to faced the clutter they had been collecting for years. While not a complete success (mostly they have just moved things into their own storage unit, the garage, and their new RV), they do finally have a cleared out bedroom to sleep in for the first time in many years. Kira and Alex went on a trip overseas this summer (was in August? September?) and it was great to hear about their adventures in Europe. I could tell how much Brett wants to go and experience it himself (and his way), and so that really is on our bucket list for someday.
September -September brought lots of changes. Brett traveled to Pennsylvania to do paperwork, meet with his dissertation committee and update them, and came back with work to do and lots of enthusiasm for finishing up this year. I'm his #1 supporter in this goal and am doing everything I can to help. On days/weeks that he works, I rest and cook meals and try to keep his office clean, etc. On days that I am working, he takes care of other errands, the kitchen stuff, etc. It's working out pretty well. In other news, my little sister Angela had her new baby (a girl) in mid-September. My parents babysit Angela's oldest (a boy) very often and we've always been a close family so we all see Angela and her family a lot. My older sister Lori's baby (a girl) is due mid-October. Lori's elder daughter Lily is very excited to be a big sister (she's been waiting 5 years!). I am excited to give the new family additions those special baby gifts Lyn brought over from Australia!
October - So, while it feels like this month has just started, actually is is nearly half-over. Despite the fact that US government is partially shut down, on the 1st we were able to have our immigration interview for Brett's green card. We passed with flying colors (was there any doubt?) We even printed out our Team Beattie blog so they could see our three years of random life and couple musings...who would want to fake that? Anyway, it is conditional for 2 years, so we're still collecting evidence. Then, in as early as 2016, if he wants, Brett could apply for naturalization/citizenship. Also this month, we've been focusing on yard work around the house (digging up those awful sticker plants) and finally trying to get a doggy door installed before it gets cold. My mom starts a new promotion as her job in two weeks, so that is exciting too. Brett has brochintis really bad, so I am trying to take care of him and he is taking a few days off of work and house duty to just rest. Of course, even when sick trying to get that man to rest is a challenge. But I love him so it's worth it.
Well, that is about as much typing as I can do for now. Life is day-by-day as far as how we feel, what progress gets made (academically or around the house), but we always put taking care of each other first (with the furry Beatties a close second-they are doing great by the way; finally getting along 99% of the time). I do hope to post here more often (let's say I aim for 1x a month at minimum) and Brett does look forward to his Skype calls to his folks (he just really has been sick and without a voice). I know we'll find ways to stay in touch!
Despite my online tardiness, I wanted to give y'all an
update. And, more importantly, a belated thank-you for putting up with
us throughout this extended transition period. I am sure we're in for
even more ups and downs and times when it seems like things are stuck in
the same place and not changing at all! We appreciate the support of
our family and friends more than we can ever express. We couldn't have
gotten from there to here without you. Take care and you all are in our
thoughts.
*Lyrics to a country song by Darryl Worley.
