A Message from Red Fraggle - Sorta

First two updates.

1. I've lost over a pound already this week. And will lose even more by Monday. I haven't exercised as much as I'd like but tomorrow I'll be doing another EA Active workout, and Saturday working on a 6 mile loop. Sunday is more EA Active, and then next week we try to get back to the M/Th/Sa running schedule and the T/W/F/Su EA Active schedule.

2. Things are proceeding along on the logistical front for mom and dad. Yesterday, however, was particularly hard. They went for physicals so that we can more adequately assess what level of care they need when they get here. And finally someone has a theory as to my my dad is so confused. It comes and goes, and sometimes is severe (two days ago he couldn't remember how to sign his name on paper). According to his doctor, it's possible that his chronic asthma and his most recent bout of pneumonia deprived him of oxygen for a time. Not fully, but enough to cause minor brain damage. Which is SUPER scary. The Doc says it might come and go and get better and worse, but likely won't go away. I don't totally believe it until I get them here and let them see MY doctor. But the thought of my Dad kind of being...well not my Dad anymore...breaks my heart. I've done a good bit of crying lately.

So why am I posting pictures of the happiest, zaniest, most awesome of all the Fraggles? Why am I even MENTIONING a Fraggle today when I should be amazingly sad?

Because one of the truly awesome experiences of my life was meeting Karen Prell at the Henson Exhibit. Karen was the muppeteer behind Red Fraggle. Incidentally, she's also done a lot of computer animation as well. I found that out really, AFTER I left the EMP. But I digress.

While I got to meet (and briefly interview) Karen, she was nice enough to do some Red for me which made me smile, laugh, and just feel....good. It was a shiny moment in my weekend.

After meeting her, I realized that she would be an AWESOME podcast guest for a more lengthy segment. So I asked my contact at the EMP for her contact info. She forwarded me her e-mail address. Before I could e-mail her, I received an e-mail of my own from her! Yup - Red Fraggle e-mailed me...okay - not Red, but Karen. Still!

She not only told me she'd be happy to answer more questions, but said she'd found my blog online. She told me that she'd be happy to help find resources in the area, and that I should count her as one of the people who are cheering me on, both in this thing with my parents, and in my quest to take better care of myself.

And now, here I sit, after a somewhat sleepless night, dreaming bad dreams about my Dad's condition.....

...and I'm smiling.

Because you all are cheering me on. You all care about me. Rae, Dana, Justin, EVERYONE. Your comments, your e-mails (yes, Dana, I'm talking to you too here), your support and love. All of those things make me smile. Make me feel better. Stronger.

And that's a feeling that doesn't go away. Even when I'm sad.

So thank you Karen Prell. And thank you Team Voice. And thank you reader. Whoever you are.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!