Drinking From the Firehose

We have a saying in the Air Force to the effect that life can sometimes be like trying to take a drink from a firehose. Believe me, after the last six weeks, we know the feeling:

• I went to SOS (Squadron Officer School) and got a sun tan. It was Fall in Alabama. Doesn't matter. It was still 90. How was SOS? Well, you take 475 captains, tell them that their careers could be on the line depending on their performance there, and watch the fratricide. Actually is wasn't that bad, but I was not that impressed with the whole shabang. Made some friends, alienated a few more (who just couldn't understand why the chaplain didn't want to hang out all evening, listen to them carpet "F" bomb, and watch them get smashed). All in all the AF can save money by consolidating that course with the one they send Lts through a couple of years before. Most of you folks couldn't care less about professional military education, so I'll move on.
• Leigh stayed home and got sick. So sick the doc told her to get out of the house . . . like for good. Its a long story as to how our home on base got so moldy, but let's just say housing repair contracting in the military goes to the lowest bidder. They not only fix leaks, they create them! So after a rather lengthy and exasperating row with CE, Bio Enviromental, and the Housing office, we were granted a move off base. Or I should say, Leigh, was granted a move (I was in Alabama, remember). After 15 years of marriage, you think you would know someone pretty well. Well I didn't know she had it in her. Moving rates at the top of the stress meter, just after driving in Jersey and Chinese water torture. But moving w/o your spouse, with 3 little girls in tow, while holding down a part-time teaching job, and dealing with the cretans who seem to populate some of the "support" agencies on a military base is off-the-chart stress. But SHE DID IT! Found an excellent house (1 yr old) where the rent was on sale (yeh, baby) and only 3 blocks from the Home Depot. Is this woman a gem or what?! Seriously, we give God all the glory on this one. Many helped, I prayed and cajoled from afar, but the Lord brought the family through this fire untouched. An awesome God, my friends.