Well, since SHE brought the subject up. . . .

Which of these women do *you* want answering that red phone in the early morning?

Ya. Me neither. . . .

hattip to Larry David at Huffpo.

How about *this* guy?

Mr Unflappable himself. . . .

FRIDAY, MARCH 07, 2008 12:43 PM, EST
ALLY'S GOING HOME!!! (Briefly)...


Ally is working hard at eating.

We got a spot to go to Boston on Monday.

She begins Chemo again next Wednesday.

And oh yeah, we are going home tomorrow! (Just until next Wednesday)

A very VERY long way, indeed. . . .

With

like these, who needs

New Moon on 7 March 2008 at 12:14 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

THURSDAY, MARCH 06, 2008 05:02 PM, EST
Another good news note from Ally's Mommy!!

Well, it was another good day. We started off the morning with just a tiny spit-up and the PULLING OUT OF THE NG TUBE!!!!!!!!!!! So, Ally HAS to eat, or it's going back in.

Ally had a fun day so far of playing all around the room and taking a super long nap in the afternoon, so mommy could rest and read as well!

Here is hoping for a good night; they are not going to give her TPN (which is nutrition pumped right through her central line) they are hoping this will make her even hungrier tomorrow.

Can there ever be too many flowers?

OBAMA WON TEXAS

Projections released Wednesday afternoon by the Texas Democratic Party based on still-incomplete caucus returns indicated that Obama would receive 98 delegates elected Tuesday to Clinton's 95.

Clinton led Obama in delegates selected as a result of primary voting, 65 to 61, while Obama appears headed for a 37-to-30 edge among delegates selected through the caucuses.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 05, 2008 07:20 PM, EST
Second Wednesday post from Ally's Mommy!

On the road again....

We are switching rooms yet again! There are some other kids coming to the ward that need to be together (siblings) and they won't be able to have their parents here :( so they need the big room that faces the nurses station. So, we are moving to the OTHER big room! Yeah! I am getting REALLY good at packing up our stuff.

There is a possibility her NG tube will come out tomorrow!

The words "going home" are being used more often. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Bebes

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 05, 2008 12:56 PM, EST
More good news from Ally's Mommy!

We have moved yet again! This time though we have moved to a BIGGER room! Our insurance must be the best! It is actually set up for 2 people, but they had to close some beds in pedi, so our Doc. (the wonderful lady she is) swung us to the deluxe suite! They actually left the other hospital bed in the room so I (or her Daddy) can sleep on it! No more sleeping in the "pull out chair/bed".

Also, they have disconnected Ally from ALL of her tubes! She is a free baby, just for the afternoon.

She is doing okay with her eating. She did not like the mac and cheese (mommy didn't either). She did have a tiny bit of grilled cheese, and is drinking her milk, from the carton, not the sippy cup, but oh well, at least she is drinking. Mashed potatoes are on the menu for tonight.

It has been a great day so far. Grammy and Grampa are here and she is FREE!

woot

Comparing Delegate Counts

A comparison of delegate projections from The New York Times and other sources. For a detailed description of how The New York Times counts delegates, see the table and description below.

			Pledged delegates	+	Projections from nonbinding contests	=	Projected pledged	+	Survey of Superdelegates	=	Total delegates
	Barack Obama 1,311.5 64.8% of the 2,025 needed	The New York Times	976		179		1,155		156.5		1,311.5
		The Associated Press	N.A.		N.A.		1,264		202		1,466
		Clinton Campaign	N.A.		N.A.		1,201		N.A.		1,201
		Obama Campaign	N.A.		N.A.		1,199		N.A.		1,199
	Hillary Clinton 1,211 59.8% of the 2,025 needed	The New York Times	924.5		97		1,021.5		189.5		1,211
		The Associated Press	N.A.		N.A.		1,135		241		1,376
		Clinton Campaign	N.A.		N.A.		1,042		N.A.		1,042
		Obama Campaign	N.A.		N.A.		1,040		N.A.		1,040

And what was it, and when was it

my whole world made a quarter turn

and just walked off in a different direction

as if it had always known you were there

though I did not, nor would have believed

altogether too perfect. broken bowl,

pieces fitting perfectly. break line wholly

invisible to the unaided eye. holds water

better than the hands, clasped and naked

or. a new thing altogether, unexpected

shining. singing softly under its breath

like a small child at play. I was that child

as were you. what then are we together?

seed, meeting light, the spring and soft

air, using up its whole self in aid of what

is future. creature of green and loving

tremulous, sweet, giving ~~ transformation

soon




jjl 3/5/08

Note to myself

All of this day,
and another night,
till the moon turns
Queen of time and tide
Grandmother

So wait, through the rain
and mist
the storm crows' scream

Wait, and just wait
quietly.
Quietly learn again
the algebra
of blood
Seek the logic
of the heart and keeping

Stop peering down the long
road of years, stretched
beyond knowing

The circle that curves,
curls back on it self
brings joy




.
jjl 29/06/07

TUESDAY, MARCH 04, 2008 02:03 PM, EST
News from Ally's Mommy:

We have moved! We are now up in Pediatrics. The room is tiny! Her nurse today up in Pedi, brought Ally a balloon she loves! Her nurse this morning, was awesome and very sad to see her go. She was a minor celebrity as she was wheeled out of the PICU!

They are taking her off most of her antibiotics, she ate a slice of apple today and drank some milk. We are going to try mac and cheese later! Good signs.

I hope everyone has a safe drive home tonight.

{There is an ice storm ensuing in the Northeast.}

red tailed hawks in spring

My first woosquito of the season tonight!

MONDAY, MARCH 03, 2008 07:37 PM, EST
Ally's Mom found a few minutes to say:

Hello Everyone,

Today was a good day for Ally. We missed Daddy a lot, but we were in such a good mood the day went quickly. Ally woke up around 7AM and FINALLY took a nap at 12:45...very late for her, she usually naps around 9:30 or 10:00. She was in a good mood though, and slept for over 2 hours.

She just can't keep her food down. They are working on figuring out what to do about that. I hope a solution comes soon.

We are still in the PICU (as of 7:30ish). She is stable enough to send up to Pediatrics, but there is no room for her. We are comfortable in the ICU though. The rooms are MUCH bigger, she only shares her nurse with one other patient and everyone LOVES her in the PICU.

The trip to Boston is in the works for next week, and there is even a little mumble of her being home for a possible night or maybe just an afternoon. That will be exciting and scary! If the neighbors are reading this, we love your support, but visitors probably are not a good idea, as she is still immuno-compromised.

After the trip to Boston round 2 of chemo begins! The first round is starting to show some side effects, as Ally has lost a LOT of hair! :( She is lucky she is so gosh darn cute that baldness will mean nothing to her beauty.

Looking forward to my mom and sister visiting tomorrow. Ally's Daddy will not be coming back to the hospital tomorrow because of the weather.

clic pic

Sonnets from the Portuguese

21

Say over again, and yet once over again,
That thou dost love me. Though the word repeated
Should seem ' a cuckoo-song,' as thou dost treat it,
Remember, never to the hill or plain,
Valley and wood, without her cuckoo-strain
Comes the fresh Spring in all her green completed.
Beloved, I, amid the darkness greeted
By a doubtful spirit-voice, in that doubt's pain
Cry, ' Speak once more--thou lovest ! ' Who can fear
Too many stars, though each in heaven shall roll,
Too many flowers, though each shall crown the year ?
Say thou dost love me, love me, love me--toll
The silver iterance !--only minding, Dear,
To love me also in silence with thy soul.

SUNDAY, MARCH 02, 2008

Hello friends,

I am going to try to update the blog each day. Ally's Daddy is going back to work next week and I will be alone for much of the time. I may not be able to update each day, that does not mean something has gone wrong, it just means I am spending the day with Ally! Thanks for reading.


01:47 PM, EST

Hello Again,

Ally is having a pretty good day today! She has been playful for the afternoon so far. She only has 2 tent treatments left! Her blood counts are on their way up, and she got some blood today to help them along.

Ally has been giving lots of hugs to mommy and daddy today. She has been smiling at Grammy, Grampa, Aunties and Uncle as well. Sometimes, even her nurse!

The plan for tomorrow is to move upstairs to Pediatrics, and out of the ICU, as long as there is a room available. Ally's Daddy goes back to work tomorrow. It is going to be an eventful day.

 The Cuckoo's Nest

   As I was a-walking one morning in May
   I met a pretty fair maid and unto her did say
   I'll tell you me mind, it's for love I am inclined
   And me inclination lies in your cuckoo's nest.

       Refrain:
        Some like a girl who is pretty in the face          
        And some like a girl who is slender in the waist    
        Ah, but give me a girl who will wriggle and will twist
        At the bottom of the belly lies the cuckoo's nest.  


   Me darling, says she, I am innocent and young
   I scarcely can believe your false deluding tongue
   Yet, I see it in your eyes and it fills me with surprise
   That your inclination lies in me cuckoo's nest.

   Me darling, says he, if you see it in me eyes
   Then think of it as fondness and do not be surprised
   I love you, me dear, and I'll marry you I swear
   If you'll let me clap my hand upon your cuckoo's nest.

   Me darling, says she, I can do no such thing
   Me mother often told me it was committing sin
   Me maidenhead to lose and me sex to be abused
   So, I'll thank you not to think upon me cuckoo's nest.

   Me darling, says he, it is not committing sin
   But common sense should tell you it is a pleasing thing
   For you were brought into this world to increase and do your best
   And to help a man to heaven in your cuckoo's nest.

   Me darling, says she, I cannot you deny
   You've surely won me heart by the rolling of your eye
   Yet, I see it in your eyes that your courage is surprised
   So gently lift your hand unto me cuckoo's nest.

   This couple they got married and soon they went to bed
   And there this pretty fair maid she lost her maidenhead
   In a small country cottage they increase and do their best
   And he often claps his hand upon her cuckoo's nest.

Sumer is i-cumen in

Sumer is i-cumen in,
Lhude sing cuccu!
Groweth sed,
And bloweth med,
And springeth the wde nu:
Sing cuccu! cuccu!

Awe bleteth after lamb,
Lhouth after calve cu;
Bulluc sterteth,
Bucke verteth,
Murie sing cuccu!
Cuccu, cuccu!
Wel singes thu cuccu,
Ne swik thou nauer nu!
Sing cuccu nu!
Sing cuccu!



[Summer is come in, loud sing cuckoo! groweth the seed, and bloweth the meed, and springeth the wood now: sing cuckoo! The ewe bleateth after the lamb, loweth after the calf the cow, the bullock starteth, the buck verteth (goes to harbour in the fern -- Ritson), merry sing cuckoo, cuckoo! cuckoo! Well singest thou cuckoo, cease thou never now! &c. -- 'Swic' seems to be the German 'schweige,' the 'swic' or 'swig' of the Suabian Minnesingers.]

The cuckoo is a pretty bird,
She singeth as she flies;
She bringeth us good tidings,
She telleth us no lies;

She sucketh all sweet flowers
To keep her throttle clear,
And ev'ry time she singeth
Cuckoo ! Cuckoo ! Cuckoo !
The summer draweth near.


The cuckoo is a giddy bird,
No other is as she,
That flits across the meadow,
That sings in every tree.

A nest she never buildeth,
A vagrant she doth roam;
Her music is but tearful -
Cuckoo ! Cuckoo ! Cuckoo !
'I nowhere have a home.'


The cuckoo is a witty bird,
Arriving with the spring.
When summer suns are waning
She spreadeth wide her wing,

She flies th'approaching winter
She hates the rain and snow;
Like her, I would be singing
Cuckoo ! Cuckoo ! Cuckoo !
And off with her I'd go.


The cuckoo is a merry bird,
She sings as she flies;
She brings us good tidings,
And tells us no lies.

She sucks little birds' eggs
To make her voice clear,
That she may sing Cuckoo !
Three months in the year.

SATURDAY, MARCH 01, 2008 02:25 PM, EST

Hello Snowy Friends,

It is not really snowing here, we got less than an inch, but we heard rumors of upwards of 8 in other places in NH.

Today is very similar to yesterday, slightly less annoying. Yesterday the techs putting together the tent and administering the treatment made a big mistake. We were upset because Ally was in the tent for 2 1/2 hours and barely got any of the meds. They are on top of it today.

Ally is in a playful mood today. She has been out of her crib (when not in the tent) and has even walked a couple of steps while holding on to a little cart!

Happy shoveling.