Holiday festivities and reality

A busy couple of days around here.  You would think if you were "snow bound" there would be nothing to do.  Sadly, when you have an 8 year old, there is no such thing as nothing to do.

Yesterday we escaped the house and went to the movies with Evan and Erin.  The kids were great and we all enjoyed Monsters University at the cheap theater.  I got the kids a ridiculous sized bucket of popcorn to share.  I thought it would bother me, but it really didn't.  It really must be the whatever they put in it that keeps you eating it, because just looking at it and smelling it did not make me want it.

I am still having a hard time figuring out scheduling for eating.  It is different when you can't just drive through somewhere, or eat in the car.  A meal not only has to  be prepared, it has to be blended.  Eating is getting less messy as I figure out consistencies and strategies, but there are still occasions where I am wearing too much and those around me feel like they are in the front row at a Gallagher show (for those of you who don't know who he is,  he used to smash watermelons with a sledge hammer.)  Last night when I was trying to hurry, I threw together salad as that generally works really well.  Too bad I thought throwing in dried apricots would be a good idea.  No.  They didn't blend and the clogged up everything.  That made eating long and frustrating.

We were hurrying so we could go to the Stand Holiday Party.  Thank you for stunt hosting, Joy!  Her house is so beautiful and cozy.  The white elephant gifts were entertaining, although Stand people are entirely too nice to steal from each other, but there was some good-natured trading afterwards.  Karissa was quite thrilled with the giant pair of fuchsia heart shaped glasses we ended up with, which complemented her sparkly purse quite nicely.  Even Joy's adorable dog, Lorenzo, enjoyed himself by stealing some food off the table. As Kelly is familiar with that tell-tale sound, he was able to intercept him.

It was so nice to see everyone who was there.  It is difficult for people to judge how I am because I don't sound "better."  I feel pretty good overall, but I sound they way I sound and that isn't going to change much. I know it makes some people more uncomfortable than others.  I'll change those I can and those I can't I'm afraid will have to be uncomfortable.  I'm not hiding.

We were at school today for the Star Student Assembly.  It was a light crowd as there were a lot of kids absent today (11 in Karissa's class alone).  Most of the adults have heard me speak and have adjusted to it. However, it was the first time I've been around the students much.  One of the girls said hello to me.  I said hello back and asked how she was.  Karina even translated it, although it was pretty clear.  She just stared. She looked back at me several times.  I think she thought I was playing a joke.  Clearly I am going to have to go in and speak to them so they know what I sound like.

We went and poked around in the St. Vinnie's today.  They always have lots of interesting holiday stuff.  I noticed that as soon as I started speaking, there was a shift in people.   Some moved away.  Some became overly helpful.  Some did a double take as if to say, you don't look like you should sound that way.  My voice is not going to change too much, despite what I hear inside my head, so I better get used to it.  Again, I'm not hiding.

A big thank you to Rebecca for sending over the lemon flavored fish oil for me to try.  (Karissa will be bringing it back this evening...).  I have mixed it into my oatmeal without any negative repercussions.  It is the Barleens Fish Oil in lemon, in case anyone is interested.  I can't say how it would be if you were eating it by mouth, but 2 teaspoons in my oatmeal did not affect the flavor or cause any after taste as fish oils often do.

Our dual holiday family household still needs to get a tree.  First we should probably clear a spot to put said tree. There are lights to hang and decorations to unpack.  There are gifts to send, as well as cards.  There is much to do, but it seems hard for me to get in a rush about any of it.  At this rate, we will have to celebrate on Epiphany instead.  12 days sounds about right.