Under the weather/various

Well, I haven't exactly lived up to my intentions, but I have a good (ahem) excuse. I've been under the weather with a late summer cold. It's irritating to feel so lousy when there's so much I want to do.

I've tested a few new recipes:
Chocolate Chip: a keeper
Chocolate: not good
Brown Sugar: good
Brown Sugar/Coconut/Masa: weird

I'm heading to Trader Joe's today to restock some supplies and next want to make crystallized ginger. We'll see how it turns out.

In other news, I saw a bear and 3 cubs last week. Bear sightings here in Auburn are fairly common in the canyon area where I live. There are purportedly 3 different groups: Three mammas, two with three cubs each and one with two. They came really close to the house, but unfortunately, I couldn't find my camera. But then last night (middle of the night) there was definitely some kind of creature/animal just outside my bedroom. Bear? Asthmatic deer? Not sure, but it was creepy!

Progress/pressure

So about two weeks ago (gosh, where did that time go?) I wrote that I wanted to (once and for all?) really try out this cookie thing I've been wanting to do and making excuses about. I've been somewhat successful.

I have tested 3 recipes, deeming one a keeper, and one a possibility with modifications. I have been brainstorming name ideas, and well, that's about it. I am trying to keep up the momentum, but with no real deadline (other than a self-imposed calendar deadline) I'm having a bit of trouble.

So, this is another attempt at keeping myself honest. I WILL try another recipe today. I will look up a couple things on my list about how to start a business. I WILL!

Back to normal, sort of

So Mom's home and doing quite well. May start driving tomorrow, is back to drinking coffee (and maybe wine!) and things are looking good.

And for me, I'm down to about 4 more months of my "vacation." And since I've always wanted to try out the cookie thing, and since I have the time to put into it now, I'm embarking on a project: I'm giving myself a month to try and come up with a specific plan. Here's where you come in: I need support (well, pressure, really) to keep myself moving forward. I'm my own worst enemy. I need some questions, follow up, yes, some outwardly imposed pressure to really give this my all.

I may decide it's not the route for me, but it should be a sweet discovery, either way!

Looking up

Things are looking up. Mom will go home tomorrow from her extra stay in the hospital. What a relief. She's doing much better, and hopefully won't have any more problems.

It's hard for me to remember what I did before going to the hospital every day. I'm hoping to do something fun on Saturday with M. Also catching up on chores, etc.

I have been invited to join a new reading group. It meets on Wednesday and the book is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. So far (about 20 pages in) I'm not loving it, but hoping it will take off. I'm excited to meet some new people, and have been wanting to join a book group for a long time, so I'll press on.

Hospital, revisited

Yesterday Mom was admitted to the hospital again. She has an infection and they've nearly pinpointed it--near the internal incision. She's (finally) back on antibiotics, though still not allowed to eat or drink. And the nausea continues. Poor Nay. Hoping that tomorrow they'll drain the fluid near the colon, and between that and the antibiotics, she'll start feeling better. It's been really frustrating.

From this experience I have learned:
1) Arrogant medical staff don't respond well to impatience
2) I don't want to be a nurse
3) I treasure that I can eat and drink at will.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Another week

Again, (though in a different way) I have to say what a difference a week makes. Last week at this time, Mom was just home from her hospital stay/surgery, and doing great (albeit tired). Thursday, Friday, Saturday, each day got better.

But then came Sunday. An infection on her tongue (of all places--apparently not uncommon post-hospital stay) and a Urinary tract infection. Then things began to fall apart. Each day got a little worse, she got more and more nauseated and started having abdominal pain. So, tomorrow we go back to see the surgeon (or the Physician's assistant) and hope to find out what's going on. She's (totally understandably) very frustrated and tired of feeling sick (and tired of puking!)

I'm staying with her again tonight, hoping her low grade fever doesn't get worse (has gone down since this afternoon) and she can get some sleep. At least she seems to be able to sleep pretty well these last few days. Small favors, right?

Hoping for a better, healthier day tomorrow and some resolution to the backsliding. I want to see the Nay on the mend!

Grateful/Celebration

Last week at this time we were feeling anxious about Mom's surgery on Friday. What a world of difference a week makes.

The surgery went well, and yesterday Mom came home. She's doing great.

Today the Dr. called to tell her the growth wasn't malignant. What a relief! How grateful we are that all's well. Though her appetite isn't really back, a little ice cream celebration is probably in order tonight!

Yipee!