...let Lucy speak.

It's RAINING outside.

I can't go for a WALK because I don't like getting WET!

I can SIT on my porch and WATCH the rain fall.



I STAY close to the door so that the rain can't SPLASH on me.

If I feel a RAINDROP, I'll duck inside fast!

When will it STOP?


I think I'll just lie here and maybe SLEEP until this is over.

...heal.

I'm out of the hospital. I was feeling sick last week. It turned out to be more than a cold. James took me to the ER Saturday. It turns out that I had cellulitis and strep. Cellulitis is an infection of the deep subcutaneous tissue of the skin. It was NOT MRSA as the ER doc feared. IV antibiotics were effective in helping me get much better. I also learned that I have a few allergies to the "mycin" family of antibiotics (Vancomycin, Clindamycin). I had what they call "red man syndrome." I broke out all over in red hives and my elbow swelled up to the size of a baseball near the IV. They changed course fast on that one and got me back to my normal color! My arm was finally back to normal size yesterday. I'm just taking things easy today. My visiting teacher is bringing dinner over tonight. My Relief Society President was first on the scene with brownies and a stack of magazines for my hospital stay. Our home teachers brought me the sacrament and gave me an awesome blessing Sunday. So, I've been looked after. Thanks for your well wishes and prayers. I'm really feeling much better now!

...shop!

Yesterday I walked out of the mall with two new shirts ($44 value) without using cash, credit, debit card, or check. Although I got quite a look from the sales lady that rang me up, everything was on the "up and up." So, how did I do it? First of all, I don't pass up on coupons that say "$10 off a purchase of $10 or more." That's just free money. Second, I shopped the clearance racks. Third, they were having a sale on the clearance. Fourth, I used an old gift card to make up the difference.

So, here is the savings break down from the receipt:

And here is the gift card usage:


I saved $42.02 (or about 95% off the original price), and I still have $2.21 on my gift card.

I think I'll save it for the next great coupon I get during a clearance sale.

...find out what happens to Bella!

I tore myself away from my book just to post this pic. There probably won't be another post until I've finished "breaking dawn!"

PS: Yes. I designed the tee-shirts that a friend and I wore to the release event. Obsessed fans might notice that the chess pieces are different from the book cover. That's because I photographed the queen and pawn from my own wooden set...and took the time to digitally manipulate them as part of the design. Okay. So I'm a little obsessed too! ;)

PPS: Here's the truth: It was part obsession and part respect for fellow designers. I also purchased the font. A lot of work went into the cover art, and I don't feel right about doing a "cut and paste" just to have a snazzy tee-shirt. 'Lecture over.