Visit, Surveys

I'm all better now. My last painful attack came just a few hours before my sister arrived for a week long visit, thankfully. I don't know if it has passed but the stone is at least in a place where I cannot feel it. And we've had a very nice visit with Alex who heads back to Michigan tomorrow. I'm so thankful for having a sister, and one I get along with at that-- we can be silly and serious and sad and caring all in a few moments. Lucy has had fun with her Auntie Alex (who she calls "Ahh Tee").

On another note, I've been completing consumer surveys for over a year. When I quit my job at the school last winter I thought it'd be fun to fill in some of my free moments with surveys. They are mostly annoying. But I have finally collected enough points to cash in for a $20 paypal check (a big deal for me).

I had planned for months to use the money for a cheese making kit. Since this latest kidney stone bout I've resigned myself to a low dairy/low oxalate diet which isn't exactly compatible with homemade cheese. And since I will also need to up my water intake, I've decided to use the cash for a stainless water bottle. They are supposed to be better for you and are easier to wash by hand (we have no dishwasher).

Our confirmation at St. Luke's is coming up this Saturday, and then we are off to Washington for a week, so I'm sure there will be plenty to blog about in the weeks to come.