Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – Day 330

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Good morning and hello to Wednesday.

I finally have my little—and I mean little—audio studio set up to record my voice (or anything else I feel like recording) from here on out. It’s tucked into the corner of the guest bedroom, but the key is: it’s ready. All I have to do now is plant my butt in the chair and get it done. With some practice, I’m hopeful I can capture a voice recording that still sounds like me. If I can figure out how to incorporate the voice I banked on my iPhone, maybe that’ll help me get closer to my pre-ALS voice. Fingers crossed.

Since it’s a new month, we made our way to Sew Hop’d Brewery to pick up our monthly 4-pack of beer. Not that we need a reason to visit the brewery…but hey, it’s always nice to leave with beer.

We were joined by Mark, Barb, Donna, and Joe. We usually bring snacks to share, and if we’re still hungry, there’s always a food truck around for a proper meal. This time, Joe walked in carrying three bags from White Castle…a mix of 20 sliders. A pleasant surprise…if you like sliders. My experience with them has usually been around 2:00 a.m., after the bars closed. Either way… they do a great job soaking up alcohol.

After a couple of beers and dinner, the girls helped me to the car…which has become the norm whenever we go out. And I don’t even finish my second beer anymore. I have to take such small sips, it takes forever. Honestly, it’s a good thing I’ve slowed down. I really don’t hold my liquor well these days.

We were home by 7:00 pm, and I was more than ready to get off my feet. I headed upstairs to relax, turned on the TV…and promptly fell asleep. I woke up just long enough to get ready for bed, then settled in for a pretty restless night. I skipped the CBD, and the respirator mask kept waking me up. By 1:00 a.m., I took it off during a bathroom break and decided to leave it off for the rest of the night. I really don’t like it!

Now I’m wondering: do I really need the machine at night? I seem to sleep just fine without it…at least for now. But if I return it, can I get it back quickly enough when I do need it? Something to ask the doctor.

This morning, the palliative nurse is coming for her monthly visit. I really do like having health care at home…it beats the three-hour round trips to Evanston.

I have one serious question: why are my lower legs and feet so much colder than the rest of my body? When I touch the skin, it feels like they’ve been in a walk-in cooler. I’m hoping it’s nothing serious, but I have a feeling this might mean another visit to a specialist. Either way, it’s best to address it now rather than ignore it.

After that, we’re off to meet my sister Lis and her husband Steve for lunch in Schaumburg. I’m really looking forward to seeing them before they head to O’Hare…they’re off to Europe for a cruise. As I sit here, I can’t recall exactly where they’re headed…they always seem to be coming or going. That’s just the way retirement should be: go wherever and whenever you want while you still can.

Have a great Wednesday.

Love you guys!❤️