Well, Friday was a very fine day. Alyssa showed up around 3 pm with the grandkids, and they kept me laughing. Around 5 pm, Rob and Lindsay Samuels showed up; they were amazing (they even brought beautiful flowers). Both loved playing with the grandkids and helped me as well. Amy got home around 6:30, and we had ordered dinner… Italian food for everyone but me. I had my grilled cheese and Campbell’s tomato soup; I must say that it is the easiest thing to eat. During dinner, our guests helped with everything: getting the food on the table, working in the kitchen, and even helping clean up. They stayed until about 8:30. Alyssa slept with Teddy downstairs, and Benny slept in one of the bedrooms near us.

Saturday was another long and tiring day for me. Alyssa was heading to Connecticut for a wedding (her husband went the night before). Once she left, Amy had to handle both grandkids; they were very active and made a big mess with all the toys, food, etc. My biggest issue is that Teddy makes me laugh all the time, and because it is so loud and strange, she starts to cry and does not want to be with me. Later in the afternoon, I had to take a nap. I woke up at about 5 pm, and when I sat down in the living room, the doorbell rang, and Rob and Lindsay were back. Amy had ordered food from a Greek restaurant in Oceanside (Gyro Bar –2778 Long Beach Rd, 516-766-9016), and they picked it up (I will add that the owner is someone we have known for a long time, and we love his food … sadly, I cannot eat it anymore). When we were getting ready to eat, Rob went into the kitchen and made my typical meal – it was perfect. I tried to drink my beverage but had some issues. That night, Amy slept with the two kids in one of the rooms, and I slept in our bedroom.

My ability to drink is becoming very difficult. I put a cup with a beverage in my mouth, and my body will not allow me to take the beverage in. I have to try it 8-10 times for it to happen, and many times, I am definitely swallowing the wrong way because I start coughing and choking. These days, I am only using protein shakes with high calories; sometimes, I try to drink two of them. Strangely, if I get the swallowing to work, I have to try and drink the entire cup in one shot. Many times, in the end, I swallow the wrong way. In addition, I am having trouble using my electric toothbrush – something that has started recently. Every time I use it, I am constantly closing my teeth on it and get a crazy vibrating sound on the teeth. Oh well.

Sunday was our 40 Wedding Anniversary. Amy was up early with the kids, but I did not get up until after 9. I left the bedroom and decided to go down to the gym. Well, the walk down the steps was very slow, and I only used the elliptical machine for about 12 minutes and then tried using weights. Before, I used 10 lb dumbbells, but now I can only use 5 lb. I did what I could, went back upstairs, had some food (my typical breakfast), and sat around. Alyssa and Adam came home early, and I went and showered (a very long and slow process). Later that afternoon, Lance and Chloe showed up to celebrate the 40th. They were both so happy to see and play with the children in and out of the house. I had Lance and Adam bring up a nice chair we had downstairs for me to use in the living room, and they went into our bedroom and took apart our bed and were able to drop the mattress down a few inches. It was so much easier for me to get in and out now.

We ordered pizza for dinner, and I had my typical meal. When I walked into the dining room, little Teddy made me laugh uncontrollably. She started crying and wanted to leave. I told Amy I would eat in the kitchen so she and all the other family members could eat together. The laughing makes eating difficult for me (and I already have trouble eating). I could eat all my meals in under 30 minutes (doctors told me that after 30 minutes, I needed to stop eating and wait for an hour to restart). I even had a cup with two protein shakes and could get most of it down! I then returned to the dining room, and Chloe and Lance brought a banana cream pie; I could eat the whipped and banana cream – I had to cut away the crust. It was so good. Shortly after, the crew left. Amy started cleaning up, and I just sat in my new chair!

Sadly, we told Alyssa and Adam that we could no longer let the kids stay overnight. The problem I have is all the laughing (which is non-stop when they are here) makes me so tired. That, in turn, makes my walking even more difficult. After a week of working, I need a few days to relax. In addition, next week, I will have the feeding tube installed, and I will need at least a week to recover. I was told that for the first two months, I would have a large tube hanging out (not going to be fun). After that, they can change everything so I can use a much smaller one that does not have to be left in all day.

Monday was a typical day. I got to the gallery around 11, and Alyssa was in for the day (no grandkids). I had lunch around 2 pm (Amy made a different grilled cheese with sauce – it was outstanding) and headed home around 5:30. Lance helped me come and go… walking was getting trickier. Had a late dinner and went to bed.

On Tuesday morning, Amy had a Zoom call with an expert about things that would need to be fixed for me to stay in the house. The list was off the chart – bigger doors, ramps, carpet removed, new showers, etc. We figure the cost would be ridiculous. It’s probably time to sell the house, which is very troubling. We then left for the city, and when I got to the gallery, my motorized scooter from my sister-in-law (Sheryl Scheer), who lives in Florida, was there (needed to be charged). Oh, it also came with a half-gallon New York Maple Syrup bottle! Had my typical lunch and did some work. The rest of the evening was typical.

On Wednesday I decided to change my breakfast — had two yogurts and protein shakes. I was really upset with how my face looked eating yogurt, but then I remembered how those little kids’ faces look when they eat stuff! We got in a little late since we had to stop by the conservator’s place to drop off a couple of paintings. Had my grilled cheese and soup a bit early as a couple of clients/friends were flying in from Texas (for the day) to spend the afternoon with us – Harry and Todd Stafford, you guys are part of our extended family!

That afternoon, another wheelchair arrived. It’s a lightweight one that can fold easily; it’s nice to sit in it and have someone push me around!!

Thursday was a busy one (had the yogurt again for breakfast). I will say this again, congestion pricing is a bunch of bull shit! Getting into the city daily takes us at least 1 ½ hours. Lance and I had appointments with an ophthalmologist on Park Avenue and 61st Street at 1 o’clock. He ordered an Uber, and we used the new wheelchair. The driver was nice since he came out and put the wheelchair in the back. We got to the office, and they had to open an outside door so we could roll in. I thought all the drugs I was taking were causing issues with my vision, but it seems I just needed slightly stronger lenses. What was very nice was that the doctor’s office also had an eyeglass section. I ordered some new glasses that will have in 2 weeks. When we left, another Uber driver came by and was helpful. When we got to the gallery, he helped me get out of his car. When we got to the gallery, I tried using the motor scooter, but it was not working well. My brother-in-law decided to open the battery part. It was filled with water, and the batteries were swollen – Amy ordered new ones!! The day was done, and we headed home — over 1 ½ hours.

Friday started with a trip to the framer and conservator. We got in, and there were a few boxes on my desk. The first one I opened was a gift from our Canadian artist, Gail Descoeurs … a very nice set of syrups. We have enjoyed working with Gail for a few years and look forward to many more. The other box contained an assortment of things from Scott Diament and the group from the Palm Beach Show … a show we have done for about 20 years! Lunch today will be a little different; Amy went to Dunkin (got an egg and cheese croissant and a donut)!! Alyssa is working on Saturday’s email, I am working on my blog post (LOL), and later today (around 6 pm), Lance will be working with our photographer. Right now, Lance, Alyssa, and Amy are talking with Tim Jahn – who stopped by.