It’s been about 28 hours now since I spoke! On Friday, my voice was decent in the morning and then went out on me by the late afternoon. By 4 or 5, I could barely speak at all. I called the doctor on call from my ENT’s office who believed that the one blister on my left vocal fold that was on a blood vessel burst causing what is called a vocal cord hemorrhage. He prescribed steroids for me to take over the next 5 days and told me to be on vocal rest for the weekend. I’m resigned to a notebook and pencil and e-mail until Monday—which obviously is not easy with three little kids. Mark has been great, taking on most of the work around here. I’m not in any pain at all, but I have to not use the vocal cords so that this open blister can get some time to heal. When I first saw the doctor in Phili 2 months ago, she said this might happen.

It has been an interesting day today trying to interact with the family via charades and writing to illiterate children. I was very happy though when we were out today at Rotorfest, a helicopter air show (more on that to follow maybe tomorrow), and Evan was whining when we were waiting in line for Mark to take his helicopter ride that we got him for his birthday. I wrote the word “food?” to ask Evan if he needed a snack and he actually read it. He has never done that before and both he and I were impressed that we had communicated that way. But, I tried doing it again later with some other words and it didn’t work at all. Oh well.

28 hours down and about 32 to go until I can speak in moderation.

You may think I am kidding…but I’m not. The executive director of our library called me and invited me to a breakfast at the end of the month to read my library essay and speak about my experience to a group of elected officials and councilmen from our county. Our local library is looking to expand and has to raise millions of dollars for their architectural plan. So, I’m guessing that having me share is to let the officials know how the library is touching the local community.

So, whatever should I wear?

And, seriously, Oprah very well may call tomorrow.

First, my winning essay was published in the paper. Now, today, my picture (shopping at our big community day/yard sale at our park!) was on our local paper’s front page. What’s next? the Today show? David Letterman?

Autographs available upon request.

Disregard the fact that the paper BUTCHERED our last name. Oh well.

My sister Megan sent my kids a fun package of goodies to make our own candy apples. So, this weekend we delved right in. The kids enjoyed making them more than eating them — they weren’t into the mess of them. Ashlyn did a pretty good job of eating hers, but I think I better call the dentist for an appt after doing it. Her teeth were a big caramel mess!