Hi abby....just saw all the latest on your life....i have not checked in for a while so i am trying to catch up. You are not "whining" at all. My goodness...it is so nice to hear you share your ups and downs...i think that's why we are all here. I am beyond thrilled to hear about your new apartment and i think this will give you a whole new "view"on your life...not just a view of the mountains. July 4th is way too noisy, i agree. Spend the official Independence Day celebration by celebrating your own new independence. You don't need fireworks for that. Blessings.