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!

For those of you who have my (current, work-related) email address, please change it in your address book or whatever to my new address, which is (my first name) at earthlink dot net.

Also, generalized jobma would be appreciated. Friday is my last day. I'm sad about leaving all these awesome freakazoids I've been working with for 5+ years. SO BE NICE TO ME PLEASE.

t delicate blossom

TomW and I leave for the UK tomorrow afternoon, so we'll both be pitch black dark for about 2 weeks.

See y'all when we return.