My 300th Post Blog Giveaway, More Pattern Making and a Kidney Transplant Update

Aug 21, 2008

Free Candy

Wow!  This is my 300th post…I’m thinking I talk too much.  Anyway, in celebration of this milestone, I’m going to give away the last of the BBQ Candy Cart stash…

Ok…so why should you win the free candy?  Let’s see.  How about whoever links back to this post and gets the most pingbacks (hits coming back here) wins?  Yep…so go link me in a post on your blog!  Be sure to put your email address in the comments section of this post.  I’ll announce the winner on Monday.

More Pattern Making

I spent Monday editing all the photos (over 40 photos..ugh) I took of my Downtown Joey fit samples on my son (size 6) and two mannequins (size 4 and 5).  I then emailed them to my pattern maker, so we can finalize the sample patterns.

I am having one problem with my boys’ pants design:  ZIPPERS.  I can get standard zippers 3 1/2″ and 5″ inch long.  But I’m trying to avoid having to have the zippers custom cut as it adds an additional $1 onto my costs.  And that’s not ok.  Especially since it looks like I need a 4″ zipper on several of the sizes.  Any suggestions or wholesale zipper leads from the peanut gallery?  I’ll be your best friend.  Did I mention I’d prefer burnt orange or rust colored zippers?

I’m Cool…I have a Beeper

On Tuesday, my daughter and I went to Philly for another doctor’s appointment.  I had a HORRIBLE day.  Seriously.  I’ve cried all night–it all seems so grim.  All the options SUCK.  Really.  I felt like I was being bullied into their way of thinking.  The whole kidney transplant protocol has me very uneasy.  Basically they tell me it’s dialysis or death–take your pick.  Like I said, all my options SUCK.  But I think what got me most upset was they said this while my daughter was in the room.  DIE is one word that I don’t allow to be spoken in my home or anywhere else.  And especially in front of my child.  KWIM?

I can’t begin to explain my feelings of helplessness not being able to be my own daughter’s kidney donor (I have Lupus, so they won’t consider me).  And Mr. Diva™ has chronic kidney stones (for which he’s hospitalized at least twice a year).  This is so not fair.

Two of my sisters, my brother and my nephew have all come forward to donate their kidneys.  But unfortunately, it’s just not that easy.  Not sure if we are going to go the living donor route.  There’s so much to consider.  We need to weigh the pros and cons with each donor.  This is so hard.

Since my daughter is now officially listed for a kidney transplant, the social worker finally gave me a beeper.  It brings back memories of when my daughter was waiting for her liver transplant 15 years ago.  When my beeper would beep, it was usually the beeper company calling to remind me to pay the $12 monthly bill.

On the Eve of St. Patrick’s Day 1994, my beeper buzzed.  I didn’t pay it much mind, because I figured it was the bill reminder once again.  But just to make sure, I checked the incoming number.  OMG!  It was the liver transplant center and they had a cadaveric liver for my daughter.  The rest is history.  She received her new liver the next morning.  It was the greatest day of my life (and hers).  I’m hoping we’ll be this lucky again. 

 

It’s very hard to deal with life these days.  However, it’s amazing what some Hostess Zingers (and everyone’s support) will do for the spirit.