Nesting maniac, field trips, and a feast from friends

My energy was very good today and the liver pain stayed minimal, so I snuck out for two more quick "field trips" thanks to Leslie this morning, and then to Johnny, who is back for the weekend from his Chicago life to spend time with me and help knock out a few more patio projects.

Being home full time has turned me into a "nesting" maniac. I am organizing like crazy, everything from silverware drawers to rearranging the way our shelves have displayed family photos since we moved into this house nine years ago. Having been the executor of my mom's estate just two years ago, I have this deep fear of leaving my children with the burden of dealing with "stuff," and I can't shake it. As a parent, when you are faced with the fear of dying, your mind goes to a very responsible and tactical list of things you must do before you leave this earth. Please do not read this as me being anything less than hopeful or full of fight. It is just the responsibility I carry as a mom to three kids, two biological and one "bonus" (aka step).

I have had a will and estate plan for years, and I updated it a few years ago after my mom's cancer to make sure my own healthcare power of attorney was buttoned up. Fast forward to this week and this new fear I am facing, and I had yet another meeting with my legal and financial advisors for an even more refined set of instructions and a review of my healthcare decisions. Huge shoutout to my dear friend Carey Yukich of True Wealth Advisors and Estate Attorney George Carberry for the house call. (Carey, Those SNEEX looked amazing on you at the PNW Gala!)

Real life, real adulting stuff.

Okay, back to less serious topics. I splurged a bit and replaced my bedroom curtains and lamps, and I have my eyes open for a new recliner. On the food front, I am still having trouble getting calories in, of the right or the wrong kind. Some foods completely shut down my palate and give me an icky feeling in my stomach. The jaw bump is not helping, since it is sore, but I am definitely craving Thai and Vietnamese food most of all.

I have to call out some delicious things that were dropped off today by dear friends, Victoria Brant, Stephanie Bevis, and Ulrike Simic (Taiyo Simic's mom), with Jen Vargo Okamura handling the delivery. Leslie and I also stopped for breakfast sliders at White Castle on our way out before shopping (don't judge, I had no clue this was a thing either).

![White Castle breakfast with Leslie](https://clbsskcxwqktlnebnxge.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/journal%2F2026-05-31%2Fwhitecastle.jpeg)

Vicki Brant delivered a delicious gazpacho, a salad, and banana muffins. Stephanie Bevis shipped me this incredible sourdough bread, which turned out to be the perfect partner to Vicki's fresh, Spanish inspired cold soup. I literally can’t wait to make my own from my cute little garden of vegetables - these emojis in a blender with a pinch of salt….🧂 …. 🍅 🥒 🧅 🌶️ 🫑🧄 healing!!!!

![Vicki's berry and feta salad](https://clbsskcxwqktlnebnxge.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/journal%2F2026-05-31%2Fsalad.jpeg)

![Banana muffins from Vicki](https://clbsskcxwqktlnebnxge.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/journal%2F2026-05-31%2Fmuffins.jpeg)

![Stephanie's sourdough, made with much love](https://clbsskcxwqktlnebnxge.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/journal%2F2026-05-31%2Fbread.jpeg)

![Vicki's gazpacho with a hunk of Stephanie's sourdough](https://clbsskcxwqktlnebnxge.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/journal%2F2026-05-31%2Fgazpacho.jpeg)

Last and certainly not least, Ulrike took on the challenge of making key lime pie for the first time ever, with fresh whipped cream, and OMG, blue ribbon, five stars, all the awards for the little slice I had. Taiyo and I went to IU together and he immediately recognized the little plate I served it on, a saucer “souvenir” from Foster Quad cafeteria circa 1990.

Okay, that is all for now. My brain feels scrambled, so apologies if this update reads a little scattered. You know, chemo brain is a real thing. Goodnight, and love to all of you.