Today's "Blob"

Aunt Sylvia calls this my "Blob."  That is as good as any name for it.

Who knew that I knew so many people who were expert bun makers?  Lots of great advice and volunteers to show/help/get.  It is certainly a relief to have good advisers!

Today I went to the Hanukkah Craft Fair at the synagogue. It was so good to see everyone and get all of those hugs!  There were so many beautiful crafts.  What talented people.  Lesley did an amazing job with all the gift shop stuff, especially since I just dropped it in her lap.  I am very thankful for all the wonderful gift shop volunteers who more than rose to the occasion.  Also Beth and her daughter who made the special trek from Sutherlin to help (and to whom I am forever indebted for so many kindnesses.)

To make up for my overdoing it morning, I spent the bulk of the afternoon on the couch.  I'm almost through the 39 Clues.  Yes, they require a lot of suspension of disbelief, but the pace is good and the print is large enough I don't have to track down my reading glasses.  Only .25 strength, so at least my eyes are still good.

Sleep is making me crazy.  Gravity works.  I get all propped up on the Mt. Everest of pillows and finally manage to fall asleep.  Inevitably, I either slip off to one side or slide down.  Then the reflux attacks, or the mouth fluids attack, and I'm up suctioning and gagging.  How restful.  Putting the trach tube back in would help, but no thank you.  The hole is completely closed up.  I'm not doing that again if I can help it.

An immersion blender will not adequately grind up pesto raviolis, in case you were wondering.  We had to mush it through a sieve.  The chickens are getting some interesting things in their bucket tonight. The food is sitting much better than formula and I feel good, but the weight is still sliding, so I either need to find a way to get more calories into what I'm eating or I'll have to supplement with the chemistry experiment formula. UGH!

The welcome at TBI this morning was warm and genuine.  To be loved by so many people is truly a blessing. People offering to help in a hundred different ways.  When we got home, Carol stopped by with gorgeous flowers to apologize for over pruning the grapes.  Really?  You gave up your holiday to come to do yard work at my house in the freezing cold and fog and you are apologizing for doing it incorrectly?  They are grapes, they will grow back. My amazing primary care doctor called the house to check on me.  She spoke at length with Kelly and also asked if there was anything she could do to help.  On a Sunday night, from her house.

Several people today commented that they couldn't believe I was up and about.  I not exactly dancing with the stars or anything, but I'm driving, going, doing, and speaking to the best of my ability.  My comment is, if you are going to live, LIVE.  Why go through all this and then hide at home?