How I got here:

First off, I know everybody is struggling, in one way or another, so I completely understand if this is not a good time. We’ll still be friends, regardless. 

Here’s the story. I had been trying to launch a business incorporating both my baking and fabric design skills to supplement my writing. The new business (www.lilymercerdesigns.com) was going really well. I had even been accepted to Richmond‘s prestigious Bizarre Bazaar for the Christmas 2021 show. Then I started having pain in my shoulder. At first I ignored it, thinking I was just tired, but it didn’t go away. Then I tried all the usual suspects - heat, ice, ibuprofen, chewy CBD edibles (which are not all they’re cracked up to be). Nothing worked. So I finally went to the doctor. 

Long story longer, I have multiple full thickness tears in the right shoulder and I need rotator cuff surgery. Luckily this is an outpatient procedure and my insurance covers most of it. The problem is I can’t bake, sew or write for about 6 weeks. I’ve worked hard to navigate the financial challenges of the last year, but now I’m up against a wall and I am asking for help. It’s humbling, but necessary. 

I am enormously grateful to have some local friends organizing meals, pet care, trips to the doctors office, etc. But how do I pay my bills if I can’t work? I’ve exhausted my resources. Now I’m throwing my bread upon the water. 

If you feel like throwing a few bucks in the pot, you would have my sincere thanks. Even $5 would buy me a coffee. $50 pays for my phone. $100 pays my car. $500 pays for my surgery. My rent is $1092. My utilities, food, etc. It all adds up to around $2500 for the 6 weeks I can’t work. Normally I would offer to send you a box of lemon squares as a thank you, but baking is off the table for a while, so you’ll have to settle for a personally dictated message (which autocorrect will no doubt make hysterical, so bonus!). At the very least, I’ll be home for quite a while, so the film and TV reviews you’ve come to expect from me will likely be much more frequent. And of course, I’ll be updating you on my progress. And ranting on social media about... something. 

So please click the link below. Or not. Up to you. We’ll still be friends.