Random Monday

Today was one of those days where you both can't believe how far you have come and also can't believe how far you still have to go.  Even people with tongues have days like that, I imagine.

Last night was a long, exhausting night. I feel bad for the geriatric cat because she misses Karina and it is cold in the house.  I took pity on her and coaxed her out from under her bed and took her to bed with Karissa and me.  No good deed goes unpunished.  After she decided I wasn't Satan, she wanted me to pet her and never stop, but don't touch her ears. When I could not stay awake to pet her anymore, she alternated between climbing on top of Karissa (which wakes her up) and licking my face.  Yes, ewwww...  I spent most of the night dragging her off Karissa or pushing her away from my face.  At some point Karissa pushed her onto the floor, so she promptly, and loudly, went and vomited... somewhere.  No, she would not have had to go to school today.

Karissa, being a problem solver, got the flashlight out of the nightstand this morning so she wouldn't have to risk stepping in cat barf.  Good strategy since in was right in the middle of the doorway. How can a cat that is under eight pounds throw up that much?  Tonight, unfortunately, is shaping up to be more of the same as I can already hear the complaining from Karissa.  At least when the cat thought I was evil I got to sleep.

Despite being up at 6:30 am, after being up all night, I could not manage to get much done.  Everything seemed to take longer than it should.  Breakfast prep was extended because I had to make mine for three days, but still it seemed long.  Dishwasher unloaded and loaded and blenders and pots washed, oh, and breakfast 'eaten.'  Now it is after 10?  What?

I knew if I took a nap I wouldn't get up in time to pick Karissa up, so I crawled in a hot shower to at least feel human.  No, the swelling hasn't changed one whit.  Still, a hot shower makes my neck at least feel almost normal.

Karissa's SLP offered to spend a few minutes with me each week to help me refine my speech as much as I can. It was nice to hear from a professional that I am making good progress even though it doesn't always seem that way to me.  Some of the sounds I am making she isn't sure how I am able to make them.  That's okay.  We worked on some phrases and she is helping me make the most of the sounds I have strong so that hopefully the listeners ears will fill in the weak/absent ones.  I so appreciate her offer and her help.

After speech we headed off to riding.  We were running a bit late, so I had Karissa call Ms. Lori so she wouldn't worry about us.  I am so glad Karissa doesn't have the phone neuroses that Karina had.  She loves to call people on the phone, which helps.

I got a few more thank you notes (FINALLY) written during riding while waiting in the nice warm house. Lori and Stan's house is like a layout from House Beautiful, with all the tasteful accents and cheery trims even. I can't imagine my house ever looking that put together.  I'd like to say maybe when my kids are grown, but I know Kelly and I better than that...

After riding, the evening of to dos stretches out before us.  Lock up the chickens. Get the mail. Make dinner. Do the homework, the reading, the speech homework, and the piano practicing. Jammies, teeth brushing, bed time.  Dog feeding. Cat feeding, and apparently cat wrangling.  None of it is particularly challenging, it just takes time. Some of it also takes patience. Some of it would be a lot easier if I could speak more clearly. Piano practicing, in particular, is a challenge.  Note names always come with drool. Leaning over trying to show her scale fingerings also comes with drool.  By this point in the evening, most things come with drool.

The swallowing recap for the day is a measly one.  Really, only one.  I successfully did one first thing this morning, marked it down, and never made another attempt.  I'm glad I can do it on the first try usually, but I know I need to up the repetitions and the quantity if I am ever going anywhere with this.

Exercising was non-existent. Just staying awake seemed like an exercise all on its own.  That isn't a good excuse, though.  Sitting, sitting, sitting isn't good for reducing swelling or much else.  The only thing it is good for is not burning through the calories.  I am still struggling to take in enough. I need to be more organized. I do fine when there is stuff prepped in the fridge, but if it is a make it from scratch proposition, it is likely I'll just make a quick smoothie, or skip the meal altogether. Not a good plan.

I am pondering acupuncture, and meditation, and anything else that might reduce the swelling and the dwelling.

I wanted to hear Kelly's voice, so I asked him to call rather than text tonight. I think it went okay. I would ask him if it was okay understanding me on the phone, but he would never tell me it wasn't. There is something to be said for just having a simple good night telephone conversation.

Two more days of flying solo. Even though I am usually home alone on a school day, the day still seems to drag out longer when I know he won't be home. Without Kelly and Karina, it is very quiet around here.

Tomorrow brings massage therapy, ballet, the library, and all the regular chores. Hopefully there will be some sleep before it gets here, though.  My all-nighter days are well behind me.  Also hoping for more swallowing, more exercising, and more clarity.  A girl can dream, can't she?  Well, not if she doesn't get any sleep.

Until tomorrow...