Christmastime

Wow, Christmas this year has been interesting. I finished up school on the 14th of December, and we started driving up to Washington on the 17th. We left very early in the morning so that we could make it through the Cascade mountain passes while it was still light. There was no snow on the roads, and by the time it hit full dark, we had reached the end of Snoqualmie Pass. Yay! Then we hit Seattle rush hour traffic, so it took us about an hour longer than expected to reach Oscar and Carley's house (Brother- and Sister-in-law). So "interesting" thing number one for me was not being in Utah for Christmas. This was the first year I was not at my parent's house on Christmas day. Bad that I didn't get to see them, good that I did get to see all of the McBrides. It has been very fun for the most part being up in Washington. We've been up here a week and a half, and we're staying through Thursday (leaving Friday the 31st). So, after 2 weeks I will be very excited to be back in my own home, and in my own bed, and everything else. Its nice to stay longer, and its nice that this month has 3 paychecks so we can cover it. What is not nice is the reason for it. (Also the reason this holiday has not been all good).
      The Friday before we came up to Washington, we got an email from Nathaniel's papa. His mama had been taken to the Hospital, and was in the ER because of pain, incoherence, and inability to stay conscious. About 24 hours later, we heard a tentative diagnosis of cancer. A couple days after that it was confirmed that she had multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma. (though a biopsy was not able to be done at that time, other factors proved cancer to be the main problem) She also had a bladder infection and pneumonia. She was moved to the CCU. (Critical Care Unit) We were told that they needed to get rid of those, as well as swelling in her abdomen, before they could start her on chemotherapy treatments. We realized that it was definitely a good thing the Utah McBrides were all planning on being in Washington for Christmas. When we got up here, we found that she had been moved out of the CCU, so we were definitely happy about that. We've spent about an hour or 2 every day in the hospital visiting with her. There have been days she's been doing extremely well, and days that weren't so good.  Christmas Eve they were finally able to do a bone biopsy, though results would take a while, and Papa got to talk to the doctor, who gave a prognosis. With everything that was going on (including kidney failure and inability to feel/move lower body) he did not think she would make it past the beginning of the year. That was quite the blow. It is a very good thing there are small children in this family, because they didn't get told, so Christmas was still happy with all the kids. Had it been just the adults it may have been a little subdued. Mama was also moved back into the CCU. Last night things took a turn for the worse, and Mama had her pain medications increased. She was almost completely non-responsive when we went to see her today. Papa got the bone biopsy and another talk with the doctor this morning. When they test for the cancer she has, they expect to see below 10% of... whatever it is they look for. Mama's levels were between 70 and 80 %. She also has many micro-fractures all throughout her spine. With all of that, and after a conversation with the doctor and Mama, they decided to put her into comfort care, which basically means just to keep her comfortable. I for some reason still didn't think it was quite that bad. We got to the hospital, and Papa told us that the doctor had told him that she had 24-36 hours. That was at 10 am this morning. So Nathaniel and I will be staying until the end of the week. 36 hours puts it at tomorrow night. I don't have any idea what we're going to do. So yeah. That was my Christmas.  Sorry if it was incoherent, we're all a little distraught.

Busy Busy Busy

     I have been so busy the past few weeks, and will continue to be so for the next week and a day. What with finals being next week, and all of Christmas, (so goodie plates, wrapping gifts, etc.) I've had a lot to do. And I've only had 1 day where I actually felt overwhelmed. I think I'm doing pretty good with that. I've been having so much fun baking and drawing and wrapping presents. The baking I have been spacing out. In my opinion, if you're going to be giving treats for Christmas, and there is going to be more than one kind of treat, it is best if they are finished on the same day. Well, that can lead to some overwhelming days. So, what I did was made cookie dough, and froze it! So, when I had finished the caramels, while I was wrapping them, I could take the cookie dough out of the freezer and bake it. That way I can have multiple treats without overwhelming myself trying to get it all done in the same day or 2.
     Part of why its been so crazy is that we are leaving for Washington on the 17th. That is a week from Friday. Seeing as it is Wednesday night, that is basically 1 week away. So I get to have all my Christmas stuff done before then, rather than the week later that Christmas is. But it is fun, and I am way super excited to be going out there to visit.
     As for the drawing, I've finally gotten started on my portfolio, (that I have about 9 1/2 months until its due) and have now finished one of the 16-22 pieces that I will need to have done.

I don't feel like it is quite my best piece every, but I am quite proud of it, considering that I haven't really done much in the way of real drawing for about 3 years. I do currently plan on this one being in the portfolio, but if I do get enough more pieces done, say 20 total, then if this is the worst one I may leave it out. We'll see at the beginning of next October. It is that shadowed cheek/chin that I am still having issues with. It isn't quite looking right to me, but I'm having a hard time fixing it. But yeah, now that I have finished that, hopefully I'll be able to get a few more articles of clothing made for Jessica before Christmas.