Momma

I got a call Saturday from the place mom stays at. I was informed in no uncertain terms that Lance and I were going to go visit her Sunday. There, of course, was no argument. We spent a good five hours with her and it was wonderful. I know she sick and there's a good chance she wont be with us much longer, but she was more alive for those five hours than I've seen her be in a long time and I loved it. She joked with me, wanted to hear stories I remembered from growing up that she had long forgotten, even told Lance that he was to marry me. He got to see how mom used to be. It's only a mere shadow of the woman I remember from growing up, but it was enough. He's grown quite fond of her. Our weekends are now to be devoted to her. As soon as I get out of classes we are to jump in the truck and spend Saturday and Sunday with her. Of course, I would love nothing more, but this was his decision, I didn't have suggest it. I think that after three years he's finally realized that he's been with me long enough that it doesn't matter how much he wants to fight it, he's part of the family. He's starting to slowly accept that fact. He adores my nieces and nephews just as much as I do and is starting to learn the different personalities of my many sisters and brother in laws. He's even starting to get the couples right! Hahaha! It's taken a while, but I think he really does realize that I'm not going to go anywhere and my family will love and accept him too. It's a big step for him. Mom likes him too. She says that any man who loves me she will like, but I think he gets along better with her than she wants to admit. He likes her sense of humor and he can take the zingers she delivers well. The visit was wonderful for the most part. There were a few moments, however, that put a real damper on the whole thing for me. Lance had to take a call from his little brother and left me in the room with mom alone. I'm not sure what made her say it or think of it but she informed me that when she passed they would call me first so I could come take out her feeding tube. I think my stomach dropped into my toes. It was like someone threw a rock right between my eyes and I couldn't see straight for a few minutes. I'm not sure if they have to have a family member take the tube out or if that's something she wants me to do personally because... I don't know... because I'm me? I don't like to think about the day I get that call, no matter how much I know it's coming. There's no avoiding it at this point, I know that as well as any one else, but I still don't want to think about it. She also asked me to make sure that if people want to leave flowers on her grave that they be plastic and pretty so they last longer than real flowers. I love that she can say it so calmly though. She's not afraid, at least not as far as I can tell. I think, when you've lived with a disease like MS for as long as she has you can't fear the inevitable. She's always been a strong woman, despite her body. She asked a few other things of me, but I think I'll keep those private for now, until I have time to think them through and figure out a way to accomplish the goals she has set before me. I will do what she has asked though, one way or another. I wish I could spend every waking hour with her, just to be with her and talk with her. She and I always used to talk when I was younger and took care of her. Losing her I will definitely be losing the best friend I've ever had. She's been the best mother, teacher, friend and confidant a person could ask for. I only hope that I can be half of the woman she is.

Aside from that, I've been busy with school too. The High Honors list is a bit out of reach for me this quarter, thanks to college math 1. There was a whole section that left me scratching my head like a monkey and looking like Naomi when she first wakes up in the morning. (Sorry Nomo, low blow, I know, but you know the look I'm talking about) Next quarter should be a bit easier. One of my classes is Composition. Writing. English.... muahahahahaha. I've already got a few of the guys in my program asking for extra help in there. They do well with numbers, for which I use them as tutors, and I do well with words. It's a fair trade.

So, there ya go. A nice update on what's going on in Marandaland. Ta Da! I do hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed their Valentines day. Until next time. :)

Ze List

I'm a dork, I know. I blame this one on Carisa and Kim, lol. Copy and paste and highlight the things you've done! Then when your finished add something you've done that wasn't on the list!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland or Disney World
8.Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18.Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21.Had a pillow fight
22.hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a 1/2 Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31.hit a home run.
32.been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Visited Africa
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44.Sung karaoke
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67.Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone.
78.Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82.Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Made amends with someone who offended you
101. Flew in a small Cessna plane with just you and the pilot
102. Ran out of gas
103. Eaten fried okra
104. Swam in the Caribbean Sea
105. Peed in a swimming pool
106. Stayed in a beach house
107. Hosted an exchange student
108. Been a Secret Santa to a family
109. Worked on a political campaign
110. Coached a sports team
111. Baked bread from scratch
112. Driven from coast to coast
113. Paid off all of your debt
114. Roast marshmallows over a campfire.
115 Cut up a credit card
116. Drove a car through a flood
117. Been on t.v
118. Had braces
119. Been to the twin towers in NY.
120. Have played in both the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans
121. Been to ground zero
122. Bite my fingernails
123. Likes to scrapbook
124. Hates pie
125.Visited Mexico
126. Seen a Tornado in person
127. Have ever been lost at sea!
128. kisses a frog.
129. Gave birth to twins.
130. Received 2 moving violation tickets in 1 day.
131.Been Life Flighted.
132. swore
133. stranded in a motel for Christmas.
134. Been in 2 countries at once!
135. Adopted a pet from Humane Society
136. Did a triathlon
137. Never received a speeding ticket
138. Live with one kidney
139. Slept on the floor of a train station in Poland
140. eaten rocky mountain oysters
141. Volunteered at an orphanage in Chile
142. Stayed in a Bed and Breakfast
143. Stayed in a Hostel
144. Been chased by a bull.