Good morning, and welcome to time-change hellāwhere the clocks shift, and my body remains hopelessly confused.
I have this habit (some might call it a disorder) of waking up between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. every day. So, when I woke up at 3:30 a.m. new time, my half-asleep brain immediately screamed, “Wait! Thatās 2:30 a.m. old time! You cannot get up yet!” Like a responsible adult, I rolled over and tried to sleep some more. But the problem with playing time-zone gymnastics in your head is that every time you glance at the clock, you have to do math. And math at 4:30 a.m. (or was it 3:30?) is not my strong suit. I went through this cycle of confusion until finally, at 6:15 a.m. (definitely new timeāI think), I admitted defeat and got out of bed.
Why do we still do this time-change nonsense? Who exactly is in charge of the clocks, and why do they hate us? Now that the shift has happened, I assume weāre on daylight savings timeā¦ or standard timeā¦ or some kind of time. Iāll figure it out once Iām fully awakeāso, maybe by Wednesday.
Yesterday, the painters arrived bright and early at 6:45 a.m. (old time, for those still tracking at home) and worked until 4:30 p.m. (new time). These guys put in another full day of work while I inadvertently signed up for a full day of Spanish immersion. One of the painters was a talkerāa nonstop stream of conversation. I nodded along like I understood, but by the end of the day, I had learned about as much Spanish as I did in high school: nada.
By late afternoon, it was time to head out to The Breakers to celebrate Markās leap-year birthday. Geoff and Kristen made the long trek from the city to join us, and as we pulled into the parking lot at 5:00 p.m., I was surprised to see that most of the spaces were already full. Strange, considering the restaurant had only opened an hour earlier. Theresa seniors were out in full force again. Fortunately, Barb had the foresight to make a reservation, 24 hours earlier. There were only two open tables when we walked in.
The evening was filled with good company, delicious Chinese food, and a couple of dangerously strong Mai Tais. I made the wise decision to avoid the burger this timeālast Sundayās attempt had left me with something resembling a hockey puck on a bun, which wasnāt suitable for the ādoggy bagā. Excellent choice, because dinner was fantastic, and the time with family was even better. Two Mai Tais in, fortune cookies consumed, and winning lottery numbers lost somewhere on the table.
Mark paid the dinner billā¦not sure how that worksā¦it was his birthday! Thanks Mark. Barb offered to escort me to the car, which seems to be a new thing with me. Find a female and lean helplessly into themā¦next thing ya know they are holding me tight. šGiven that our parking spot was practically in another zip code, it really was helpful. Thanks, Barb.
This morning, the electrician is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. (new timeāprobably) to hook things up. Itās supposed to take just a couple of hours, but based on my track record of estimating project timelines, Iāll go ahead and assume weāre looking at a full day. After this, the only major task left is installing the bathroom plumbing fixtures.
Wellā¦ technically thatās not the last thing. Weāve got a small crew coming in to clean the bedroom and move the furniture back in. But once thatās done, life should finally start to resemble something normal again.
In the meantime, I think Iāll head back to bedājust to make absolutely sure Iām adjusted to this new time
Have a great Sunday! Tomorrow should feel more normal.
Day 207
Good morning, friends, family, and curious internet wanderers.
The Perks of an Uncounted Audience One thing I appreciate about this blog is that it doesnāt count how many people read it. Thereās something comforting about thatāit still feels like an intimate space, which makes it easier for me to write honestly. Iām still typing away on my iPhone, and I plan to keep it that way. Iāve tried using my computer, but thereās just too much intimidating white space staring back at me.
Day 206
Good morning, everybody.
Just when I thought I had a grip on my emotions, the bottom dropped out early in the day.
I was reading a comment on the blogāa message from one of Cindyās longtime high school besties. It was full of kindness, compassion, and encouragement. I had read it a few times already, and each time, it brought tears to my eyes. Cindy hadnāt seen it yet, so I tried to read it aloud to her.
Day 205
Good morning, all.
Walking, Chewing Gum, and Nearly DyingāAgain Itās well established that my walking is, letās say, challenged, and swallowing isnāt exactly my strong suit either. On Tuesday, while prepping taxes, a couple sat down, and the wife offered me a stick of gum. Naturally, the first thought in my head: Is my breath bad? But no, she was just being nice.
So, I pop the gum in, take a couple of chews, andābamāinstant juiciness overload.
Day 204
Good morning, family and friends!
Another day, another tax return. Yesterday was a long oneāwe didnāt leave until after the bank had closed. Iāve often wondered what would happen if we accidentally got locked in overnight. The conference room, where we work, is in the basement surrounded by concrete walls with no cell service. Not exactly a prime setting for an escape thriller. In ten years of doing this, not once has a bank employee checked to see if we actually made it out before locking up.
Day 203
Good morning!!
Welcome to another Tax Tuesdayābut not just any Tuesday. Itās Fat Tuesday! Every tax season, I make a weekly stop for donuts, but today is special. Itās Fat Tuesday which means itās PÄ czki Day. If you miss them today, itās a full year of waiting. Country Donuts is the best and theyāre five minutes from the house. So everybody will be happy when they see me today.
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 Iām still losing weight, then I have the perfect weight-loss planā¦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 Iād been both anticipating and dreading.
Day 201
Good morning, and welcome to Andyās Army!
For those of you just joining this adventure, let me catch you up. I started this journal-turned-blog one week after my diagnosis on August 13, 2024, as a way to keep the kids updated on my physical and mental health. I wanted to explain, in my own words, what I was going through and how I was handling this curveball life threw at me.
Day 200
Good morning, and welcome to March!
Today is a much-needed rest day. The week has been nonstop, and my body has had enough. The legs are worn out, my tongue has staged a protest, and my overall energy reserves are in the red. Letās just say I wasnāt exactly practicing energy conservation this week.
Itās 4:50 a.m., as I sit here reflecting, I realizeāI had a good week. A great week, actually.
Day 199
Good morning, everyone!
Itās fun-filled Friday, and weāre off to an early start.
Weāve got an hourās drive to Glenbrook Hospital for PT and OT at 7:30 AM. That means hitting the road by 6:15 AM and playing speed racer with the morning commuters. Once upon a time, I was a pro at thisāback in the days when my left hand held a cigarette, my right hand balanced a coffee cup, and somehow, in between, I managed to shift gears without completely losing control.
Day 198
Good morning, everyone!
Thank you for being part of Andyās Army. Every morning when I wake up, Iām humbled that so many of you want to read about my life with ALS and how weāre managing this shitty disease. And by āwe,ā I mean the collective āweāāall of you who are part of our lives, plus the ones Iām sure we donāt even know about. Your support, love, friendship, and joy mean the world to us, and I couldnāt be more grateful.
Day 197
Good morning, everybody!
A brand-new day to appreciate, endure, and enjoy.
Last nightās sleep? A disaster of sorts between 2:00 and 4:00. Fitful, restless, and punctuated by dreams that felt just a little too real.
Yesterday was Tuesday tax day, and it was an absolute madhouse. We were backed up all day, and you could see the frustration brewing in peopleās facesā¦arms crossed, feet tapping, and eyes rolling and scanning the room wishing for eye contact to impress upon us, their agitation.
Day 196
Good morning, friends and family!
Itās Tuesday Taxes! I genuinely look forward to these days. I know that sounds strangeāmaybe even downright bizarreāto most of you, but I actually enjoy this type of volunteering. As they say, donāt knock it until youāve tried it! Then again, now that I think about it, everyone reading this is going to be involved in taxes one way or another. Good luck! āļøšøšøšø
Day 195
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to a new week as we turn the calendar to March. Soon, another time change, which I really dislike, will be upon us. We can talk later on that.
The taper (sounds like a Mafia figure) arrived yesterday at 7:15 a.m. with his 10-year-old son, Alexander, after driving an hour to get here. Thatās early for a Sundayāsimilar to waking Alex up for his weekend swim meets.
Day 194
Good morning, all.
I donāt recall if Iāve mentioned this earlier, but the count of days above represents the number of days since my diagnosis on August 13, 2024. I do this to track the progression of my symptoms, to try to understand or anticipate whatās coming, and to keep things in perspective. Maybe it will help those of you reading my daily journal understand where I currently stand.
Day 193
Good morning, everyone! I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend.
Weāre making solid progress on the remodel project. The bathroom tile is in, and today, the hardwood floors are going down. That means the house will be filled with the sound of hammers all day. Iām glad I wasnāt on a bender last night. Thank you, Joe and Donna, for taking Bear this weekendāheāll be much happier playing, lounging, and getting spoiled rather than supervising all the construction activity.
Good morning! Day 192 (yes, I knowābad math yesterday when I said it was Day 190!). Anyone want me to do their taxes? š¤£
Speaking of taxes, the intensity of tax season has officially reached the “organized chaos” stage. Let me paint you a picture of what that looks like.
We operate out of the basement of a local bankāno windows, just the soft hum of fluorescent lights and a Bose speaker to keep people from over-listening or to relax a nervous or bored client.
Good morning! Day 190
Yesterday was a mixed bag. Trying to lead a somewhat normal life continues to present its fair share of road bumps.
Tim, Shawn, and their oldest daughter, Felecia, invited us to lunch. Tim is spearheading an early summer celebration on May 31, 2025 (Day 291), at Illinois Beach State Park. His enthusiasm for bringing together family and friends, both old and new, is infectious. More than just a social gathering, he sees it as an opportunity for people to come out, see me, and perhaps gain some awareness about ALS.
Good morning, everyone! This morning, I slept in for a changeā¦it was lovely.
Spring has to be just around the corner. Iām working with the landscaper on our lawn care contract, so thereās light at the end of the winter tunnel. That reminds meā¦I need to get those electric bikes ordered. I want to use them as soon as temps get above 50Ā°!
Yesterday unfolded pretty much as expected. By the time I showered, squeegeed the glass, did my hair, and got dressed, I was utterly exhausted.
Good morning, family and friends! š„¶ Itās another tax prep dayā¦which means I have to shower and get cleaned up. No big deal, right? Just a simple, everyday task. Nothing to see here. Except, of course, that itās been three days since my last one.
Now, letās talk about showers. Once upon a day, I was a daily shower devotee. I wouldnāt dream of starting my morning without standing under a high-pressure stream of hot water until my skin would would wrinkle or the hot water tank went emptyā¦whichever came first.
