Trying to earn my way onto the transplant list involves a LOT of waiting, I'm really learning to practice my patience!  I still have multiple appointments, tests, scans, labs, etc, to complete before they will even officially list me for organ donation.  Since I am fairly limited in where I can go (i.e. basically my bedroom and the porch), my team members and caretakers are always on the look out for ways to keep my mind occupied to help pass the time.  Today it was rock painting!

Eli managed to land the most amazing summer job as a garden assistant for the Jamestown Traditional Foods Program.  It is so perfect for her, they prepare the garden, plant the seeds, maintain the garden and then harvest for elders or those in need or for special events hosted by the Tribe.  She puts so much energy and effort and PRIDE into her work, I am so happy for her!  On days that I am really feeling well she has us tag along to the garden, which is in this beautiful spot by a river.  It is a happy, wholesome place and I love that she shares it with me.

You know what is not much fun?  Waking up to the overwhelming scent of poo.  You got that right - Our entire back yard became extremely potent smelling overnight like sewage.  Apparently there is something wrong with our septic system!  It created a large bog in our yard of I don't want to know what (ewwwww!) and we are all trapped inside with doors and windows shut to keep the stench out.  Fortunately for us, we have amazing neighbors that care about us and are super handy around heavy duty equipment!  Eli and Alden actually started out trying to dig down to the system with shovels - until one of them broke in half.  So I texted our neighbor to see about getting a shovel loan and instead it was Renee to the rescue with his beautiful tractor and rad attachments!  Thank you, awesome neighbors!

We also prepared for Eli's virtual graduation.  They aren't able to gather together for an in person ceremony so the school put together something pretty special and I can't wait to see the finished product!  Since the weather has been iffy, we got out a tent for the yard and set up a viewing screen.  It turned out pretty rad!  And the lovely scent from the septic system seems to be mostly hovering in the back yard so no problems with the viewing area in the front yard!

On top of all of that, Alden and I also snuck off to the Kings Way church parking lot because he is chomping at the bit to learn how to drive and this seemed like the safest place closest to our home.  He did a great job but man, I can't believe he will be driving soon!  Ack!

It was really busy around here today!  My cousin, Kaitlin, heard about a man donating a stair lift that she thought would fit in our home.  We had started this process when I cam home from UW in March but everything came to a screeching halt with Covid becoming more and more rampant.  So it was  put on the backburner until things settled down but I am having more and more trouble getting around, with the stairs being the biggest challenge of all.  So, it took some coordinating between her, my amazing sister, Rochelle and my brother, Randy with his buddy Kevin.  They brought the lift over and Randy and Kevin with their brilliant minds and talent had it installed and running in no time!  This is going to be such a huge help for me and far, far safer.  So, thank you to my amazing TEAM for handling everything for me!  I couldn't do this without you!

We had another full Sunday!  Drive-up church tried out something new with a clam shell performance area and it added something special to the entire service!  I did some additional reading at home and organized my bible study for the week.  I also got to spend a little time outside with my favorite girls, Eli and Aulani.  A fulfilling day indeed!

Wow, I can't believe my baby girl is old enough to be graduating from High School!  The end of the school year has been particularly challenging not just because she is one of my primary caretakers but also trying to navigate the online school system for the first time.  And she came at it, rocked it like a champ and got it done!  The education committee from the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe came out for a social distant CONGRATS and she received a beautiful cedar cap made by one of our Tribal Elders. She also made a trip to her High School to pick up her cap and gown, drop off gifts for her teachers and pick up her super swanky Lincoln High School Hoodie!  I am so proud!

With the amount of water we go through around here momma had the brilliant idea to invest in some of the large water bottles from Olympic Springs.  This makes me happy because everyone is drinking more water and it makes Eli happy because we have officially rid ourselves of the burden of single use plastic water bottles.  Doing what we can to help the planet!

We have found ways for me to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible even on the days I can't get outside.  I have a plethora of hummingbird feeders, wild bird feeders and critter feeders placed strategically on the deck outside of my bedroom and I get to watch my feathered and furry friends scurry about in their adventures.  We have one squirrel in particular that is extremely vocal and sassy and he spends most of his time yelling for more food outside my window.  I've grown to adore this little trouble maker, even with all the messes he tends to make on the deck.