Not quite as serious as Susan's post, but I am also requesting health-ma for my mom. She is having surgery at 7:30 tomorrow morning. They expect everything to go hunky dory, and she should be home by early afternoon. I want it to go extra easy, though, because tomorrow is also my parent's 30th wedding anniversary. Sucks that she has to have surgery and recoop on that milestone day. But, knowing mom, she'll be home at 1:00pm and on the phone with work by 1:03pm. Nothing seems to stop her...

Also requesting healthma for my mother (insert Throw Mama From the Train jokes here).

Last Wednesday, thanks to conductors who didn't actually "conduct", my mother (who still had people behind her also waiting to disembark) was on the steps, trying to get off of her commuter train, when the train started up! She was thrown about 10 feet, breaking a bone in her wrist when she used her hands to break her fall.

She wouldn't go to the ER that night. The next morning, I nagged her into seeing her doc, who ordered an Xray. She's seeing the orthopedist today, because it's the first time he's been on duty since she was injured. I'm hoping the healthma extends to the point where she won't need the bone rebroken by him, in order to set and cast her wrist, and that arthritis won't set in her wrist. Thanks

(The rub? She was coming home early to watch my kids so I could take my youngest to the orthopedist for a hairline fracture he apparently got in his foot a month ago. We never knew he had it until he had aggravated on the 4th of July and then w/couldn't walk on the 5th of July. He, of course, is fine, but now his Nana is broked.)

Email received from Mike, husband of Diana:

The liver & kidney transplant surgery took 10.5 hours, finishing at 1 pm today (at UPenn). Diana's parents and I were able to see her starting at 3:30 pm. The doctors told us they were very pleased with how everything went. Diana is of course in some pain after having two major surgeries at once, but it is being managed with medication. She is 100% mentally "with it" and managed to mumble a few words here and there, including whispering a couple of questions about how everything went, and also the words "so tired!" I'm glad I was warned in advance about all the tubes and wires in every possible place on her body - wow.

So the worst is over, both physically and in terms of the risk of infection and other things. She should be out of the ICU tomorrow morning, and believe it or not, they want her to try to start walking around by the end of tomorrow (even though she won't feel like it quite yet!). This medical team is top-notch - what a blessing to have access to such good care.

Probably about 3 weeks in the hospital and then another month of recovery at home. By the way, little Nadia is staying with my cousin and spent the whole day smiling as usual, oblivious to everything! The kid is continuing to do so well, thanks to the faithful prayers of so many over these last 7 months since her birth.

I’m back. A couple of weeks away from the Florida heat. Vacation was a good thing. It got down to 40F at night which for me is like free A/C. We stayed at my sister’s house, which was my home in my youth.

The boys had a great time at basketball camp in Syracuse. Brendon broke his finger 23 ½ hours into the camp, but he had great fun anyway.

The first night we were home we went to a graduation party for 2 sons of girlfriends of my youth. My family lives in a very small resort area. There were 31 in the HS graduation class. I haven’t danced so much in years.

We went on a trip to Maine with my mother and step-father to celebrate their anniversary. Didn’t take a lot of pictures because we were driving a lot. Very pretty coast.

Then we partied in Massachusetts at vw bug’s home and met new Buffistas. The bug parental units are very gracious hosts. Lots of great food and fireworks.

We had fireworks 3 times. First on the 3rd with vw, then on the 4th in Old Forge, then on the 6th when the boys went to the car races with grandpa. I love fireworks.

We spent a couple days at the Enchanted Forest in Old Forge, NY. It is a sprawling place in the mountains. Storybook paths through the woods, arcades, amusement rides, and lots of water slides. Quite fun.

And I took lots of pictures. Family stuff included because the page is for non-Buffista as well as Buffista loved ones. I hope you enjoy them.

Is this where we post imminent darkness? I can never remember.

Well, I will be. Probably. Going to Michigan for a wedding, Web access iffy (although I certainly hope there is some, because I have networking homework to do) until next Tuesday. Wish me train-ma, and socializing-ma, and I'm so not ready to go.

willing appropriate -ma Emilywards.

Interview-ma greatly appreciated; I have an interview tomorrow morning for a job in Cairo. Go me!

Ms Havisham and I are going to San Diego for the Comic Con.

Be back in a week

Thanks for the apartment-ma, everyone! I heard earlier today that I did indeed get it, and I'll sign the lease Friday and move in on Aug 15th! Yay!