I can see your reticence meara, but the end result really is yummy and good for you.

Steph, I have just begun the healing crisis portion of the program JUST as I've run out of the sample my friend gave me. Now I need to lay off until I get all my equipment together and start brewing. Thus, actual healing is taking a hiatus.

The location issue may be my biggest problem. I understand the need for circulated air, but except for a corner of the counter top, I'm not sure where I can keep it.

I also read something about needed to keep kombucha and kefir cultures segregated. Sort of made them sound like the Sharks and Jets.

Hil, I can highly recommend the Vitamix lite version available at Costco. Of course, it was a gift, so I didn't spend for it. It's super strong...or at least strong enough for me.

Hil, I can highly recommend the Vitamix lite version available at Costco. Of course, it was a gift, so I didn't spend for it. It's super strong...or at least strong enough for me.

What I've been planning on getting is the cheapest Vitamix available on Amazon. I've got an Amazon credit card, which gives me points back whenever I use it, so I've been saving those up. I'm at about $220 worth of points now, which I think I might say is close enough so that I can just pay the rest of the price, since it's summer now and I've got the time to try stuff like cheese-making.

Good plan, Hil.

In addition to being giddy about kombucha, I'm a bundle of nerves over my surrogate mom visiting me today.

She is flying from Santa Cruz to DC and staying with me until Sunday, when I deliver her to an event in Rockville.

It seems she isn't in the best shape, but she IS 88 and full of doing whatever she wants to do.

I sincerely thought I'd never see her face again, so I'm thrilled, but I'm terrified I might break her!

I don't have any safety rails in my bathroom, so I'm thinking of renting a shower chair. I don't know though!

I'm literally chewing my nails...which I have not done in ages.

There are some economical suction cup grab bars which can support my 300lbs self, that might be a useful idea. as in, when I have used them for helping someone else get in and out of a tub, to test for proper attachment, I would lean back as hard and far as possible while holding it. I was confident in it.

Calli, I just read the news in Beep Me. I'm so sorry AND will keep my eyes open for opportunities.

Andi, I think I've found a rail-free option, but thanks for the thought.

I have a tall step ladder that doubles as a chair in the kitchen when folks visit while I'm making tea, etc.

It just fits into the tub and is fairly sturdy, as long as you don't pull it toward you to the side.

It's not meant to be soaked, but I'll risk it. Job done!

Do you know the brands of those grab bars, Andi? I've been thinking I could use one, because I get pretty wobbly when the red blood count goes down.

I'd like the name of those grab bars too.

I used to have a suction cup grab bar in my shower. I don't remember the name of it, though. I think I got it from Amazon. It worked pretty well -- after a few months, one of the cups would sometimes come unstuck while the wall was drying after I took a shower, but as long as I checked that it was secure again before I started the shower, it was fine.

Just ordered the blender. I researched a bit, and decided that the Blendtec was better for me than the Vitamix, and then I found a refurbished Blendtec (from a certified dealer, with all the manufacturer warranties and stuff) for a reasonable price. So, ordered that, plus five pounds of cashews to use as the base for most of the cheeses.

Thanks, Bonny. I'm so glad you get to see your surrogate mom!