The days are starting to feel longer as the learning curve slows down.  The first few days, everything he learned seemed like a miracle.  Don't get me wrong, we are still celebrating every win.  Marty even got a high five from the cashier at Walmart today.

First thing this morning I needed to head to Walmart to get some things I couldn't find at home to finish Jessica's birthday present and do another project.  Marty wanted to go with me, so we headed off.  For the first time today, Marty noticed we have a number pad on the driver door to unlock the door.  He didn't remember the code, so I taught him how to do that.  He did it over and over again and was so proud of himself each time. When we got to the register, Marty went to grab his money and suddenly remembered he knew his pin to his card.  He kept saying car over and over again.  I guess opening the car spurred his memory on how to use the keypad at the register as well.  The cashier looked at us like we were nuts.  I quickly explained the situation and her entire demeanor changed.  When his card was accepted, she gave him a high five and thanked Marty for brightening her day.  I love the Jane Walmart!

We spent most of the rest of the day relaxing at home.  I did sneak off to the spa for an hour and a half since the girls were home.  Otherwise we did a whole lot of nothing!

The girls had a stake activity that they left for at 2:00 today.  After they left, we decided to go to Hobby Lobby and back to Walmart (again!!) to pick up a few things for Jessica's birthday and to pick up a thank you gift for Brendan Goad.  I'll have to wait for that trip until tomorrow because I don't want to ruin any surprised for Jess.  However, Brendan is worth mentioning.

Brendan has been here nearly every day, if not every day.  He will sit and talk to Marty, read books to Marty and just hang out with him.  He was here today when I got back from the Spa.  Marty later told me that Brendan is the one that got him food and drinks while I was gone.  Brendan is a good friend.  Marty wanted me to call his mom to find out what we could get for him as a thank you.  (Brendan is 15 I think).  She gave us a few ideas and thanked us for letting Brendan come over.  She said he's taken Marty's stroke really hard.  He is coping through service.  What a great way to deal!

Our Hobby Lobby is under construction right now.  It would appear they are expanding. While we were inside, Marty kept covering his ears as all the banging hurt them.  When we walked outside, it looked like it was snowing.  Tiny little white puffs were falling from the sky.  Marty couldn't figure out  what it was.  We looked around and saw they were building some architectural elements on the building out of Styrofoam.  They were sanding them down and this was Styrofoam dust falling from the sky.  Had I not been with Marty, I may not have even noticed.  Marty seems to notice everything.  It has been very eye opening for me.
With just Marty and I at home today, we are just chilling, snuggling on the couch and doing nothing.  After a week of doing TONS, it's nice to do nothing.

OK, this next section is a little personal, and a little gross, so if you are squeamish, stop ready NOW!




My body deals with stress by forming boils.  I get them in very unusual places and today, I feel a little like Job.  I have one right on the crease where my butt meets my leg.  It hasn't formed it's head yet, but the redness is about the size of a baseball (maybe softball - for dramatic sake).  The hard center is larger than a quarter.  It is incredibly painful.  It hurts to walk or sit.  Standing is tolerable.  It first started to feel tender on Wednesday but today it is down right painful.  Marty is really concerned as he watches me hobble around.  My boils usually last about 2 weeks.  Hooray, one more thing to tackle over the next two weeks.  I suppose I'll include the healing of my boil in my fast tomorrow.  See, I told you gross!  You were warned.