I’m getting better all the time. That’s what I’m telling myself and I am feeling a little bit better each day, but still pretty shitty. I’m enjoying a nice quiet day at home and the RSO has kicked in so I don’t have pain. My body feels very heavy, however, and getting up is quite a chore. 

Enough about me. The Thanksgiving holidays always busy times for families as they try to get together. This year Brenden and Claire and Abby will be spending Thanksgiving on the east coast of Florida with her family. Unfortunately, Brenden has been diagnosed with strep and is feeling miserable right now. Hopefully he’ll be better and will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving.

Hans” daughter, Annelise, granddaughter, autumn, age 4, and granddaughter, Scarlett, age 2, are flying in tomorrow. I filled the guest house with toys I I grew up loving— like the pull along dog, telephone and slinky dog. Our library now boasts a Paddington Collection, complete with the Paddington bear, the Madeline collection, complete with two Madelaine dolls, a healthy supply of Dr. Seuss books., Winnie the Pooh books are coming any day as is plush Pooh and Piglet. . One of my favorite stories to read to the boys was “where the wild things are” and we now have the book  and 2 stuffed monsters. I am waiting for “Horton hears a who” complete with the plush elephant. I’ve been buying used items on Etsy, eBay, Facebook, marketplace, and other sites.  Might be going overboard but it’s fun and surprisingly affordable.  I even have some older kid books from my childhood. I wonder how many other people have fallen in love with Amelia Bedelia?

I’d like to leave a library that Abby, Autumn and Scarlett and any other, as yet unborn grandchildren can read from as they progress from baby books to toddler books to first readers to chapter books to novels. Even though I won’t be here to see it, they’ll have a book with my inscription to them in their hands so I will be here a little bit anyway, right?  My friend Lee suggested that I put a picture in each of the books as well.

I got a burst of energy and actually got some exercise walking around outside today. I’m trying to rally for our Monday night dinner with Donna and Tom and Mike and Lee. It’s always fun when the six of us get together and the food is consistently delicious. My stomach is a bit of a mess right now but hopefully I can enjoy the food.   

I hope you all have friends like I do. The six of us had dinner tonight, and laughed and laughed and cried a little and laughed some more. My friends had a lot of questions about my treatment and I was happy to explain what was going on. And by the way, the food was delicious and my stomach seems to be very happy.