Monday, March 3, 2025

Monday, March 3, 2025

Day 202

Good morning, everyone! Hope you all have a week filled with laughter, smiles, and good friends.

Yesterday was a whirlwind of people, projects, and, of course, more attempts to fatten me up. If I’m still losing weight, then I have the perfect weight-loss plan…albiet with some undesirable side-effects.

The day started with Brandon, our trim carpenter, who was back to install the ADA bathroom fixtures. This was the part of the remodel I’d been both anticipating and dreading. Sure, the heated floors and fancy bidet are nice, but let’s be honest—there’s only so much you can do to make a bathroom with grab bars feel less like a medical facility. Five weeks ago, when our contractor Nate asked if I was excited about the project, I told him, “If this was a want instead of a need, maybe I’d be excited.” Well, I’m still not excited. I’ll post pictures when it’s done so you can all see the transformation from a plain bathroom to, well…ADA compliance in all its glory.

Mid-morning, Cindy’s cousin Linda came over to pick up her taxes. Or so she claimed. Her real mission? Sneak Cindy out of the house for a surprise party at Barb’s. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Enter Tim and Shawn, with split pea soup (because apparently, I need more protein). Their unexpected arrival threw a wrench in Linda’s escape plan, but luckily, Tim had places to be. After loading a snowblower into his SUV, he hit the road and Cindy was successfully whisked away..

Just as I was enjoying some peace and quiet and working on my Lego project (Cathedral of Notre Dame) Joe and Mark rolled in at precisely 11:54, having stopped at the beer fridge before they entered. They were not invited to the ladies-only party, however I see it as they didn’t try hard enough to be able to stay. I recall a time a few years back, we were out with the NIU roommates and Robyn separated the guys and gals into two tables. I insisted on being with the gals, Robyn put her foot down and she insisted I leave. I insisted to stay…well…It didn’t work then…so it probably wouldn’t have worked yesterday. What do y’all talk about?

At 12:45, we were supposed to make an appearance at the tail end of the party. Great timing—Brandon had just finished in the bathroom, and we arrived at Barb’s just as things were winding down. Mark handed me another beer, Barb handed me plate of food (more protein, more fattening me up) and we hung out for about an hour…which was coincidentally just long enough to avoid kitchen cleanup duties. Sorry, Barb.

Back home by 2:00, and I was already in need of a nap—we had dinner plans at 5:00. We were supposed to go out with Cindy’s high school friends last Thursday, but since I was already catching up with my high school friends that night, they kindly rescheduled. Thank you for your flexibility.

Dinner was at The Breakers, a tiki bar known for its dangerously good Mai Tais. More laughing, more eating, more food I absolutely did not need but happily consumed anyway. We ordered way too much, so at least we’ll be well-fed (more protein, more fattening me up) for the rest of the week.

By 8:00, I was home, exhausted, and unsteady on my feet. I blame ALS. Cindy blames the Mai Tais. Let’s call it a tie. Either way, I was asleep within 10 minutes and had a solid night’s rest—until 4:12 am, when I briefly considered sleeping in. But then I thought of all of you and figured I’d better get up and say… GOOD MORNING!

Have a great day.

Love you guys!❤️