It is finished, defended, and approved. I am officially a All But Dissertation. This, my friends, is a very, very, good thing!
Really, this is the biggest news I have. Some other updates:
~ We still have no resolution with our homeowners insurance on the ceiling collapse in our dining room. A structural engineer came and did a review the same day as my portfolio defense. She seemed positive that the entire ceiling should be replaced because of the lack of plasterers in our living area. Especially a plasterer who can do horsehair plaster repair.
~ In the midst of our home improvement, I aggravated my abnormal hips (anterior tilt in my right pelvic bone), and locked up my right side. After grouting, yard work, 3 hours driving and 12+ hours in heels, I totally wrecked my lower back. I have seen my chiropractor daily, even over the weekend, and have been bed-fast since last Thursday. I can sit for 10 minutes and stand for 15. I have no idea how I am going to teach for 3 hours tonight, drive for 3 and teach for 3 tomorrow, and sit through 2 1/2 of class for me on Wed, and teach another 3 hours on Thurs. I am wearing a lovely support belt, which is SEXY, and taking 800 Ibuprofen and 1000 Tylenol. Right now, I am reclining in my bed on the heating pad. Believe me, the reclining became old about 3 hours into last Thursday. My hair is wrecked as well and I basically look like this: 
