PotUS

This week started out with a totally unexpected bang -- I got see the President of the United States of America!

Yes, I took that picture.

Unfortunately, I didn't know I would get to see the President, so I didn't have my good camera. I got a last minute ticket. Luckily, my department has a camera that I took with me. But, the camera wasn't charged and only took seven pictures! Talk about good news, bad news.

Regardless of the camera situation, getting to see the President speak was very exciting!


My new-old violin got to play in a quintet (2 violins, viola, cello, and harpsichord) the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It was AWESOME! I love playing chamber music, especially with a harpsichord. If I had room and money, I'd have a harpsichord (and a soundproof room for Jamie's sake).

The one time of year that I hate the crappy economy the most is at Christmas. I only have one gig this year, and I only had one gig last year. The first few Christmases after I graduated college I could easily get six or seven gigs. With the economy in the dumps, fewer people want to hire musicians to play for parties, open houses, ect. But, I am very thankful for the one gig I have -- it just wouldn't be Christmas without playing Christmas music somewhere! I've played for this particular church's Christmas cantata for at least five years. It's a no-pressure job where I'm one of only two violins trying to be heard over 8-10 brass and woodwind players. Plus, I get to play second fiddle to my favorite violin buddy.

I'm looking forward to winding down the fall semester and gearing up for the holiday break. The best part about working for a college is Christmas break! Free vacation time! Woohoo!

You figure it out :)

Creative
One-of-a-kind
Nifty
Nurturing
Integral
Earnest

Wonderful
Awesome
Loving
Loyal

Food, glorious food

Feeding Jamie since his surgery back in December was a bit tricky. He has only a certain variety of foods he likes to eat. Because of his initial surgery, he had some food restrictions -- no peanuts, corn, beans, seeds, gummy things, or anything that comes out looking very much like it went in. Foods like that could cause a blockage in his newly reworked digestive system.

Now that everything is hooked up again, he is off the food restrictions. We're still getting used to the fact that he can have some of his favorite foods again. Last night I picked up lots of his favorite treats -- popcorn, trail mix with peanuts and cashews, honey roasted peanuts, roasted cashews, and dried pineapple.

Today I fixed him my awesome chicken noodle soup with corn and black beans, and there is currently a crock pot full of 4-bean chili slowly cooking for tomorrow.

Hopefully, we can do more eating at home now that he can have a little more variety to his diet. YAY! I like to cook!

Home!

Jamie came home from the hospital yesterday. This was his shortest hospital stay yet (not counting having his port inserted when he was only at the hospital for a few hours). Everything seems to be working ok. He has some pain and discomfort right now, but hopefully it will continue to lessen over the next few days.

He is happy to have his bed, his tv, his wife-cooked food, and to not be bothered every two hours in the middle of the night. Most night nurses will just peep in on patients during the night hours, but we had one who insisted on turning on the lights and doing a full check every two hours overnight. We missed seeing two of Jamie's nurses who only work weekends. They were awesome night nurses.

Wednesday Update

Jamie's continuing to improve. He has eaten real food (the kind that requires chewing) today for lunch and dinner. Keep your fingers crossed - he may get to go home tomorrow!

Tuesday Evening Update 2

A few minutes after my last email Jamie's night nurse stopped by and said "I think I'll just go ahead and unhook you from the IV."

YAY! He still has the needle in his hand, but he isn't tethered to the pole any more.

*happy dance*

Tuesday Evening

Jamie saw the surgeon for all of about 10 seconds earlier today. "Belly's soft" was about all he had to say, which is good. A soft belly is what we want.

Jamie had a five-lap shuffle around the floor and sat up in a chair for most of the day. He was nauseous right after waking up but it went away. He has eaten chocolate pudding and applesauce, and was able to keep two vicotin down. He is conked out in the bed right now.

Things seem to be going ok.