Another week down and 2.5 weeks to gooooo.....

Yay! Another week is gone and, as the title suggests, 2.5 weeks to go until I leave for China!! I'm totally stoked...I have my passport, Visa, tickets and new luggage ready to go. Unfortunately I can't pack yet, cause I gotta use the stuff I need to pack! Last night there was a China meeting for all the people going. It was more of learning a little of the language. I've started learning a few phrases so it was entertaining listening to the others learn how to say hello in Mandarin. After the meeting I came home and printed out itineraries to send to family and friends and then made of list of things to do before I go and what to pack. If you know me a little bit you know that 1) I like pockets (we've already discussed that) and 2) I love to make lists...LOVE IT!!! Grocery lists, work lists, goals, to do lists, what to pack, etc. Just visit my office and you'll see lists posted everywhere. There's just something about crossing off something you've accomplished. So satisfying...(even if it is peanut butter on your grocery list...).

I did not have the pleasure of company this weekend, but Jason moved to new digs and got it done with the help of his sister and her boyfriend. For consolation on not being able to see Jason, I watched the end of the NASCAR race and Jason's favorite driver won...Jeff Gordon!

Saturday I went up to Dallas to visit a friend who was in town for a wedding. In fact, I'm going to see his sister and parents in Hong Kong. We went out for real Chinese food and then to the Dallas Museum of Art. There was a wicked storm that only lasted a few minutes around 5pm...lots of lightening. Then we went over to the bride and groom's house for a post wedding BBQ. Good grilling by the way...wow. As you might imagine, there were a lot of Chinese there. A lot of Cantonese spoken, while the white girl is sitting quietly watching, of all things, the broadcast of who's going to be on Big Brother...good grief. Once I was introduced to Roger's friend Douglas...things picked up. He told me lots of funny stories about Roger...kept me in stitches the whole time. Douglas is the brother of the bride (Dominque, btw). Not much else happened this weekend.

I seem to be random on the days here but Friday I left work around 2:30 and went straight home for a nap...so tired from working on the wagons. Don't remember what I did after that...

Sunday I went to church and then swam with my swim bud...I'm up to 2300 yards! Yay! Afterwards, started some laundry then took a nap, watched NASCAR, read a book, went to church and went to the China meeting...the rest you know.

Random thoughts: I never thought I'd watch NASCAR voluntarily (or understand it for that matter).
Dale Chihuly rawks... (glass artist whose work is at the Dallas Museum of Art) check him out... www.chihuly.com

Have an excellent week, people!

Until next time
-Jessica

Hmmmm.....

Hmmmmm....just thinking about the weekend. Jason came down and we had a good time. His Dad's birthday was Friday, so he spent it with him, as well he should have. Kudos for him...then J came down on Saturday afternoon and we got duded up to have a nice dinner. I didn't get a compliment about what I was wearing right off the bat, so later on that evening I went fishing for one. He said, "You look great no matter what you wear." Ok, that was a very good compliment, however, not exactly what I was looking for. Guys need to know that women need to be affirmed every now and again, especially when they get dressed up!!!! (and be specific too....ie, I like your shoes, that color looks good on you...) Anyhooo, that was Saturday night.

Sunday we went to church and met some of my friends and ate lunch with them too. Afterwards J & I went to do a little shopping at JC Penny's who is having a great sale by the way. J needed some dress shirts and belts for work and I was just browsing when lo & behold, luggage was on sale!!! WHHOOO HOOOOO!!!! I need some new luggage for China and have been looking for some. Boy was there a deal (and I'm leaving in a few minutes to go pick it up!!). Anybody who knows me, knows I love things with lots of pockets. This luggage was made for me and it's a six piece set! Awesome! Yes, I'm a dork and a little neurotic that way, but hey, that's me. If I was any character on Friends, I'd have to be Monica...but I'm not that bad...at least I hope I'm not!!!! I'm sure someone would let me know if I was....

Later that day we watched a little NASCAR but it got rained out. Took a nap and then got supper. We watched So I Married An Axe Murderer, which is a hilarious movie with Mike Myers. If you haven't seen it...GO RENT IT!!! or borrow it from me.

I decided not to go to work today until 11 so we could sleep in a little. We got up, got breakfast and then I dragged Jason to meet my other friends from work. Then he left town . Our schedules are so hectic that I'm not sure when I'll get to see him again.

So I'm sitting hear listening to romantic songs thinking of my sweetie and the great time we had together this weekend wondering when we'll get to do it again...Long distance relationships suck by the way...but when you've found the one...you make it work, gosh darnit!!!!!! It's hard, but it's toally worth it!

Well I must boogie...I got to go get some luggage!

Promised Pictures

All right, here are some of the pictures I promised. Some of Memorial Day Weekend and some from New Orleans:


Alex


Emma, Drew and Mandy


My Sweetie, Jason


Mom at Cafe du Mond


St. Louis Cathedral among pansies


Our room at Omega Hospital

Trying To Be PATIENT!!!!!

This is not one of my strong suits but when I can't do something about a situation, it leaves me with frustration.

My frustration for today? I'm trying to patiently wait for a job opening up in Norman so I can apply and move up there. I feel like I'm an airplane in a holding pattern who can't land at her final destination. I haven't run out of fuel yet, but I can see that happening if I don't rely on God and friends to lift me up. Funny though, there are airplanes that can refuel in the air. So right now I'm cruising at an altitude of about 30,000 feet waiting for mission control to say I can land. So please pray for patience and strength to endure the flight.

What else has been going on? Of course my Mom's surgery. I haven't posted anything since the surgery, but it went really really well and she should be on her way to the airport to fly home right about now (8:30 am). The doctors took out two of the four drains yesterday and I'm sure that is a relief for Mom. She has to wear a little belt to hold the drains and they look like gernades, so I call it her ammo belt. Ha! Since I left on Sunday, Aunt Paula has taken over and run/walked Mom all over the French Quarter. Good! The more Mom walks, the faster she heals!

What else? I'm trying to get back into the routine of things here in Waco and at the museum. So far so good. I actually unpacked my suitcase and did laundry a day after I got back. (That's unheard of at the Jessica household. It usually takes about a week for me to unpack and another week to do laundry.) I guess I'm ready for some stability in my life and for things to get back to "normal" whatever that may be.

Not much else but painting wagons at work:



Yesterday it got up to 100 degrees and where we are painting there is no AC and not really any good ventilation. That's why my face is red.

That's about it for now. Back to the wagons!!!

Is It Only Wednesday?

Ok, well here I am sitting in probably what I can say the coolest hospital room ever. I'll post pictures later. It's about 7am and Mom is having surgery as I type. I'll just write the highlights of this past weekend and first part of the week.

Pause: I'm also watching Katie Couric's last Today's show...

Ok, where was I...Friday:

It seems like a month ago that I went up to Norman to see Jason! I got there just a couple of minutes before Jason did. He had a busy day and night. He is now officially the voice of Norman High School. That entails announcing the names of the graduating seniors across the stage. All 400 and something...! When Jason arrived he freshened up and then we went to Coaches's where many of the faculty got together for celebratory end of the year thing. Jason got many compliments on his performance and I got to meet many of his coworkers. It was fun.

Saturday we got up early and headed to Fayetteville. I love the drive on I540. It's beautiful. Unfortunately Jason insides were acting up a little so he had to concentrate on driving and getting there instead of enjoying the scenery. We had lunch with Mom and then went grocery shopping while Jason took a nap. About 4ish Drew, Mandy and the girls arrived. They were soooo cute in their Hawaiian outfits that I got them last October!!! Pictures later. The whole other crew came about 5pm for a cookout for Drewser's 26th birthday...so old!! After that shindig, Jason and I went to see X-Men 3, which was good but a little less than what I was expecting. There were a lot of new characters and some old characters that departed... What happened to Nightcrawler? He's so cool!

The next morning we got up and went to church with Mom and then went to Denny's for breakfast/lunch. Then went to gas up, see Dad and get back on the road again to Norman. We headed straight to his friend's house for a cookout. It was good to meet his friends I've been hearing and reading about. Good luck with the government Eric! HA! Later that night Jason and I just hung out and watched a little NASCAR...

Monday Jason drove me to the airport so I could get to New Orleans for Mom's surgery. I thought he would just drop me off, but nooooo, he parked and walked me in, checked my luggage and hung around the security gate until I disappeared around the corner. I've been nervous about Mom's surgery and Jason could tell, so he cheered me up and made me laugh. Such a sweet guy!

51 minutes into the surgery...

Ok so I got to NO with no problem and caught a ride on the shuttle to the Bienville House in the French Quarter. I've been to NO several times but this is Mom's first so I sorta showed her around. Monday night we strolled the Quarter and found a place to eat. The Red Fish Grill. It was good, yum. I had fish. Mom brought her laptop, which this blog is being typed on and has a DVD player, so I brought some movies and we watched Pride and Prejudice then went to bed.

Tuesday morning we got up, went to Cafe du Mond for some beingets. We also went to St. Louis Cathedral, which is beautiful. Headed back to the hotel and rested, ate lunch and waited for our driver. That's right our own driver. The Center, where all of Mom's arrangements have been made, has a limo service that picks up patients for their appointments and the day of the surgery. Everything. It's great. No worries...this has probably been the most worry free experience I have had logistics wise... So we met with the surgeon doing the mastectomy at Omega Hospital and then went to the Center on St. Charles and met with the plastic surgeon doing the reconstruction who marked her up with a permanent marker. After that we went back to the hotel and trekked out to Bourbon St. We wanted to go to Preservation Hall but it was closed. Even though the French Quarter is open for business, there are a lot of places still closed and needing employees. Fortunately Bourbon House Seafood restaurant was open and we had a good meal. I had fish. So, then we went back to the hotel and turned in a little earlier because we had to get up at 3:45am to be picked up at 4:30 to make it to the hospital at 5am. We've been admitted and Mom's now been in surgery for 70 minutes. I will update ya'll probably tomorrow. I'm gonna get some sleep cause that's all I can do right about now.

Later taters...love,
Jessi

Whirlwind weekend and week coming up!

Well I feel much better at the end of this week than I did at the beginning. It's probably because I get to see my sweetie this evening and then we are gonna trek up to Fayetteville to meet my family and have a birthday shindig for my brother, Drew. He'll be 26. (Oh, how the sibilings grow up so fast...) Did I mention he has a wife and two girls? He'll always be my little brother even though he's bigger now and could beat me up. (It's only fair, he got his share of beatings when we were young). So we're gonna do some grillin' which is only proper on Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully we'll get to see X-Men 3 that night too!!! Then on Sunday Jason and I'll head back to Norman for a get together with his friends. I'm looking forward to it...I'd like to meet his friends. Monday I'm flying from OKC to New Orleans. Mom's surgery is on Wednesday and so I'll be there all next week. It should be interesting. Already the logistics of flights, hotels, hospitals and such have been and will be a headache. It will turn out all right though. It usually does!!! Mom's bringing her laptop, which plays DVDs and I'm bringing a plethora of DVDs to keep us occupodo. Keep Mom in your prayers and pray we get enough rest and recoop time! If I don't check in next week, look for me the week after!

I don't know what to title this...

Well...I have no idea what to post so I guess I'll just write whatever comes out... I'm frustrated...and yesterday I was depressed. I'm always depressed on Mondays because that's the day after I have to come back from seeing Jason. He's big time busy and stressed, I think, because of school. His last day is Friday though! That's a big Hallelujah. I'm sorta blah today...had a good lunch and now I'm sleepy. Don't want to do anything. I guess I can tell you about my weekend, which was really excellent. Last weekend I went up to Norman to see Jason and meet the parents. They were so sweet. There was some talk of going to the Bass Pro Shop and I mentioned that I had never been, it was a definite yes! I think Jason's Dad was pleased. He found the lure he was looking for. If you haven't been to the Bass Pro Shop before, you should at least go once. It's pretty amazing. It has all your hunting and fishing and clothing needs (except underwear, but maybe boxershorts). We also went to Wal-Mart and hunted for some soda and waffle irons... :-D About 15 minutes after we got back to the apartment, Jason's sis and nephews dropped in! Fun!!! It was a full house, let me tell you! After a little bit of wrasslin' we all went to Red Lobster. It was very fun hangin' with the family. I may have been a little quieter than normal but that's just because 1) I can be shy and 2) I was observing.

Sunday we went to church. I think we surprised Mrs. McMullen. It's quite an experience; like going to a rock concert. Afterwards we went to lunch and then back home to wave the parents goodbye and then to take a nap before trekking back to Wacko.

So I was pretty much useless yesterday and sorta today because of various reasons but I'll survive, I think. It's been getting harder and harder to return to Waco, so now I think it's time for someone to start taking some trips down here, so my friends can meet the fella who has taken such an interest in me. This weekend should be interesting as well. We're going to my home to meet mi madre and brother, sister-in-law and adorable nieces. Hopefully we can squeeze X-Men 3 in there as well.

That's about it...I'll go back to my depression and try to make it through the day...

Later taters,
Kitty

I need a vacation...

Doesn't it seem that after a "vacation" you need a vacation to recoop? I'm tired!!!

Lots of stuff happened this past weekend. The original plan was to go home for my Mom's surgery but that didn't work out. The surgical consultation was pushed back to today. But her MRI came back and there is almost no trace of the tumor!!! This is most excellent news and requires less surgery and less recoop time, which is wonderful. SOOOO the original plan was to scoot up to Norman, say hi to my guy and go home Friday through Tuesday. That way I could be there for the surgery and for Pat's going away/birthday party (he's headed out to MO for boot camp in the Army Reserves and won't be here for his 21st birthday). Well I decided to still take off Thursday and Friday because I've pretty much reached my limit on accruing vacation hours (for China). I still planned on going up to Norman to see Jason. Dad called Thursday morning and asked if I was still coming and I said no and it made him really sad. So then I felt sad. Then while I was driving to Norman, Mom called me with the MRI results and we were happy and she asked if I was still coming? and I said....ok, I'll come home, but don't tell anyone. It'll be a surprise. I'll just come back Sunday.

So I went to Norman and hung out with my favorite person and got up at the crack of dawn to trek to Fayetteville. By the way, did you know it seems there is a LOVE's station every other mile or two? It was funny, but I had plenty of options to stop for gas or a break. I got home about 11:30 and woke up Pat who was surprised. I took him to lunch and then picked up his birthday cake. A huge sheet cake decorated in camoflauge. Funny!!! That evening was his party and we had a great time with family and his friends. The nieces came early which was fabulous. And Drew said he did a triple take when he saw me. That was good and then Dad just stared and called me a sneak. Grandma didn't know I was there either. Good stuff. I just want to thank Jason for understanding about my abrubt visit. My family needed me.

Saturday was great. Mom and I went horseback riding on gaited horses. They were so smooth and beautiful. Afterwards we went over to Drew's in Siloam to rescue him from the girls since Mandy was in Russelville. We had a good time, but then I was tuckered. We jumped on the trampoline until we couldn't do it anyore. Then I went over to Dad's. Alison's whole crew was over there because her daughter Beverly graduated from the UofA. Man, it was crowded!!! But good to see them all.

Sunday I went to church with Mom and then went over to another cousin's house real quick to say hi. She was having brunch for her mom and Dad and Grandma. So about 1:30 I left Fayetteville and got to Waco about 8pm. I'm not sick of driving, but it's taking it's toll. Pat breathed on me when he wasn't feeling well and I think I'm coming down with it. Thanks Pat! I'll make though!

I'm very happy right now. Almost bursting with happiness...is that possible? Everything seems brighter and clearer and just wonderfuller. :-D It amazing what being with someone can do to you. I guess since Jason put it on his blog I can put it on mine...we're offically a couple. Ha! A couple!! I like it. Such a sweetie. My friends maybe sick of my gushing about him, but I'm not. Well enough about that...for now...here are some pics I took this weekend:

Alex looking adorable.

Pat with his camo cake.

Me with Emma.

Lucy the Missouri Fox Trotter with owner Ann (Mom's coworker).

Adrenilne Rush and the Aftermath

Well someone told me that if I washed my car, it was bound to rain this weekend. Well it did. Not only did it rain, it poured and hailed and scattered debris all over Waco. Friday night, I'm home alone just chillin' watchin' a movie and the credits roll. Then I hear the tornado sirens go off and I thought to myself, "maybe I should check the TV to see what's going on." Sure enough when I turned it on ABC the first thing I see is DUCK. get Downstairs. (Well that's not happening cause I live on the second floor of an apartment building). get Under something like a mattress. take Cover and I totally don't know what K stood for cause I went over to the sliding glass doors to see what I could see and at that point I saw the pool chairs fly across the pool area. The rain started coming down sideways and then the lights started to flicker. (I didn't like that at all). This is about the time I heard glass break somewhere outside. I thought to myself, "I have a bad feeling about this," and then I went into high panic mode. Running around like a crazy person, I found my flashlight and got matches for candles in the bathroom. Grabbed my iPod, radio, socks and tennis shoes, Bible, purse and comforters and shut my bedroom door. Didn't want glass coming through the bedroom and then into the bathroom. I also made some ice tea and filled another pitcher full of water and stuck it in the freezer (at the time there was no electricity). I had no idea if the pipes would be effected. Then the hail came. That was scary too, slamming into the roof and onto my balcony. It's amazing the effect pea-sized hail can have on your psyche. So for about an hour I was running back and forth from my kitchen to the bathroom, hovering in the hall and watching the weather outside all the while decked out in my comforter. It was scary but exciting at the same time.

About 2am it was just raining and I figured it was pretty much over so I crawled into bed (no covers cause there was no AC). I woke up around 5:20 and saw the electricty was on so I turned off all the lights and got back into bed but set my phone alarm for 8am so I could see what happened.

I went outside in my PJs and a jacket to check my car and it was unscathed. There was debris everywhere. I decided to call some friends to see how they fared but nothing was coming in or out. Yikes! I also wanted to check on the museum to see if there was any damage so I took a shower and drove downtown. Everything was great. It looked as if it just rained. It was open and there were visitors. Wow! They didn't even know there was a storm. Called Jennie from the office to see how everything was there and she told me about her cousin's house. I HUGE tree fell right on top of the middle of their house. Went over there to the house for moral support and played with Brooks to entertain him while the adults were trying to organize the removal of the tree. Then I went to the church cause I heard there was some damage but the guys were gone so I just took pictures of the trees uprooted like dandelions. Then I went over to Chris' house to check on him but I got no answer from Angie's phone who was also over there. Didn't want to bother them. They probably were napping (as was the case, as I found out later). That sounded good to me so I went home and took a nap. I was tuckered. Finally got a hold of my mom and dad. They said they knew nothing about it and was glad I called before they saw it on TV. Mom actually used the words "freaked out." I got more news later that the Coca-Cola bottling plant (which is literally 2 streets down from where I live) was totally ruined. Trucks over turned and the roof gone.

Rain, puddles and queso...

Well another weekend has come and gone and I'm already going through withdrawals. However, I won't miss driving through torrential rain at night while semi's are passing me at 70mph, while my knuckles are white from gripping the steering wheel because I'm hydroplaning all over the place. Not fun! Well, even still, I made it in one piece for another great weekend in Norman, Oklahoma. I also missed what was sure to be a fun soccer game but it was rained out. :-( The good news is I got to sleep in. Whoo hoo! My friend is/was looking to move to a different apartment for various reasons, so we did that instead of the game. He found one that suited him I think.

Here's something I've noticed: No matter what age "men" are, they are still little boys at heart. How can you not be a little boy when you drive through puddles just so you can see the splash! Ha! Very cute... This is also very evident if you have ever seen the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I had never seen it before and therefore "made" to watch it, so now I know some one liners. "Here's yur sign." I like 2.5 of the guys. Everyone was funny but I think Ron White is sorta sleazy and that's probably what he wants us to think too. Larry the Cable Guy is funny too but I liked Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall the best. So between apartment hunting and grocery shopping we we watched both DVDs. I enjoyed it.

By the way my friend makes great queso. Some people know that I can be a picky eater, but it's mainly for dramatic purposes. He put black olives in his recipe and I ate it with no complaints. Velveeta, salsa, JC Potter's hot sausage (which isn't really all that hot btw), and of course black olives. Yummy.

Back to work all of you who are reading this during office hours (this includes me)! And to all of you who are reading this after hours, have a great evening. That goes for you too, oh procrastinators of productivity! Have a good one!

-Jessica

Museums, Weekends and Toliets...

Well this might be an interesting post!!!

Depends on who reads it. I think my museum life is calming down slightly. Nothing major going on this week or next that I'm aware or not aware of. It seems we've been going non-stop here and I have finally am getting back to the "normal" routine. I might be doing some painting next week, though. That could be interesting. Let's see: installing exhibits, 10-2-4 Collector's Club, Grad Students researching, fabricating and installing exhibits, Texas Association of Museums in Beaumont, exhibit design interviews, traveling to OK. I've been busy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Life is boring when you don't do anything. Now, when I come home, I'm probably the most boring person on earth. I just lay around hoping the laundry will fold itself. Man, I hate laundry!

However, laundry must be done, otherwise I wouldn't have any traveling clothes. I love to travel, as many of you know, and recently I cruised up to the great state of OK. See my last post about what I did last weekend. This past weekend my friend traveled down to the humid state of Texas (ha, he hasn't felt nuttin' yet!!!) Unfortunately I had to work in the morning on Saturday but that didn't stop us from having a great weekend. Watched Up in Smoke for the first time. Funny... La Migra!!!

My Dad was "in town" or rather in McKinney visiting his wife's son, so we met in Waxahachie for dinner. It was nice. Haven't seen him since January. Gonna go home mid May so I'll get to spend more time with the family. Yeah! I get to see nieces!!!!

Saturday evening the toliet went haywire. Drained slowly and then not at all. As Ernest would say: "Eeeeeeeeewwwuuuuuuu!" Hopefully it will have been fixed when I get home today!!! Sunday I slept in and it felt GREAT!!!!! Ate at the IHOP for breakfast/lunch and was pleasantly suprised when the waitress mentioned how happy we looked. So it shows, huh? Nice... I could get used to this...

That's it for now. Mom is doing ok, tired but only has one more chemo treatment this Friday!!! Surgery to be scheduled mid-May. Keep praying for her!!!

Hugs and Best Wishes,
Kitty, a.k.a Jessica

"I have a smile stretched from ear to ear..."

Hee Hee...well what can I say. I've had a most wonderful weekend. It's fun to just hang out with someone you enjoy being with. None of the awkwardness that comes with learning about someone the first time. Sure, I've learned some new stuff but it was very laid back and enjoyable. You know what I mean? :D If you haven't guessed, I spent some time with my new friend over the weekend. We didn't do anything fancy or adventurous (unless you count getting in a pool that was 50 degrees!), but that was fine with me! We did go to a museum with lots of interesting stuff. Of course, the dinosaurs were the highlight. Pretty spectacular. The bugs? Not so much. Interesting but gross. I have a hate relationship with bugs. I duck and run at the sight of a moth. (Bad experience in the 8th grade). We also drove around town and saw OU campus and Norman High School and went to Lifechurch.tv in South OKC. Very cool! Check it out: www.lifechurch.tv

This next weekend, my friend may come down so I can show him around my town and the Dr Pepper Museum!!

La Migra!

Adios!
Jessica

Inspiration

(Note: This blog was started on Tuesday and finished the next Monday)

Aaahhh ! I feel inspired but not sure what to write. I'll just do a little free writing and see what comes out, then I'll go back and edit. Hah! I think I've been inspired to not exactly write again but to express feelings and worries and junk that I keep bottled up inside. I don't know if this is a normal thing for people but it's a roller coaster ride for me. I'm open and honest about everything in my life (or try to be more or less) and then on a dime I can close up. Writing allows me express things that I normally wouldn't or couldn't.

It's also amazing what happens when you share your thoughts and feelings with someone else. Either they aren't interested and you feel dejected OR you find someone who is and wants to understand you and encourage you. How awesome is that? I also find it amazing that we as human beings basically have the same fears, hopes and dreams, we just express or don't express them in different and sometimes unhealthy ways. I wonder how much we would accomplish if we helped each other out. Utopia? Maybe. But I have also found that what drives most of us is selfishness. (My observation only, you can debate with me in the comment section.) Media tells us what we want, need and deserve because "you're worth it." Go ahead! Kill someone for their Nike Air Jordans! Just do it!! No wonder the world is in such a state. We are focused more on ourselves than how to help each other.

So let me tell you what I want: I want to have relationships with people that will benefit me as well as the other person/s. I want to be in love!!! I want to get married someday!!! I want to have kids!!! I want to change the world in whatever capacity I can!!! There is a lot I want, but I want it to be right and in God's time.

It's funny how God works (but not really cause he tells you what he wants for you and how to go about doing it). I asked for all these things and lo and behold he's blessing me with them! Granted, I'm not married or have kids or in love? for that matter, but I can see the beginnings of something that could turn into all the above. It's exciting and scary at the same time. Am I ready, is anybody ever ready for this?

So with that in mind, let me tell you about last week and weekend.

Went to the Texas Association of Museums (TAM) annual conference in the great city of Beaumont. Saw the world's largest fire hydrant. Not joking folks. Check it out here. Went to seminars and "learned" more about my profession and basically took a little vacation. However, sleeping on a fold out couch is not my idea of vacation. There was a trade off, however. My coworker and I got to sleep at the conference hotel for free while Jack and Brian slept at the "branch" hotel. :D It was so much more convenient for us girls. Thank you Sarah!!!!! I also talked to a new friend every night that week, which was fun and exciting.

Saturday I participated in the Race for the Cure in downtown Waco. I got a little emotional because of all the people there and how breast cancer effects so many people. I walked the mile but could have jogged it. Next time!! Then I trekked up to Hillsboro to meet a friend for a short period of time. Too short, if you ask me. I got off to a later start than intended and so I was late, but I didn't want to seem too eager either, so I kept speeding up and then slowing down and getting stuck behind slow people!!! AAAHHHH! While I was driving back to Waco and thinking about the visit, I realized I totally missed my exit! How goofy am I? Sometimes I crack myself up. After gathering my wits, I had to get ready for BUNCO night at Poppa Rollos. We had a blast!!! It was hilarious. I got to be Games Master, so I was in charge. I like being in charge! I just walked around and watched everybody have a great time, so much fun. If you've never played Bunco, it's a very addictive dice game. Check it out: BUNCO!

Well I've wasted enough time a work. Will post later? this week. Definitely next week. Looking forward to a great weekend! Only 3.5 days left (not counting today and I leave on Friday after work).

Later taters!
Hugs!

Kitty

John Cusack

Ok. This link was sent to me and now I'm sharing it. It may be dorky for the guys, but I'm sure the girls will dig it.

My Life is Like:

What John Cusack movie are you?

Susan G. Komen

Hello All!

I survived March so far and the sky hasn't fallen, although it's supposed to rain all week but that's ok. We need it!!! Wanted to update you a little bit. Mom's had four of six chemo treatments and is doing well. Sometime in May will be her surgery.

Coming up in April I will be participating in the Race for the Cure. If you would like to support me or support the cure, please click here!

That's all for now, folks. Oh! I have heard some good news about the China trip. There has been talk of us possibly going to the western part of China. Details when I get them!

Later taters!!

Chicken Little

Well the sky isn't falling...yet! March is CRAZY!!! A new major exhibit is being installed, my office is a mess, I'm procrastinating (as you can tell with this posting), I'm helping overseeing graduate students who are installing two exhibits here at the museum and the 10-2-4 Club Convention is almost upon us (check out their website here). I was also sick most of last week. I think it was a major sinus infection in conjunction with the changing weather. Ugh!! Last week I just wanted to go home and be with my family. :( I miss them. However, they seem to be doing all right without me. :( :(

Oh get this! Got an email last week saying the whole reason for going to China (the English Camp for kids) has been cancelled!!! YIKES! I have already purchased my tickets, so it looks like I will still be going to China but I just don't know what I'll be doing. Our fearless leaders for this trip are busy looking into other options for us. Keep the trip in your prayers!

Did I tell you that I am participating in Lent this year? I have decided to give up movies, ie, going to the movies, renting movies or watching movies on TV. The last one was decided on Saturday after debating whether or not I should have watched A Beautiful Mind on TV. If you want to know the history behind Lent and its intended significance, click here.

If I don't have another posting in March, you'll know why. I going crazy!!!

Ah yes, Valentine's Day!

What can I say about Valentine's Day? It's a cute holiday. Cute cuddly bears holding hearts and such... (Don't get me started on the commercialism for the day. See the Halloween post if you want to know how I feel about it). ANYWAY do you know the history behind Valetine's Day? Not as cute and cuddly as you might think... Check it out on the History channel link here. Did You Know?- 192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion (Christmas being the first.) (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research) Well there ya go. I got four Valentines today: three from female coworkers and one from my brother. (Oh and I got socks from my Dad and Alison). I've just been handing out dark chocolate. Yum. I am neither for or against Valentine's Day. Every day is what you make of it. So if you love someone, love them everyday!

Shaved Heads

...well just one really. Mom started losing her hair and before it fell out completely, she had Drew come over and shave it off. I talked to her before it happened and she said that her natural hair just looked so gross. Aunt Paula sent one of her wigs to mom and so she wore it to church yesterday. Drew said she looks good for a bald lady! Keep her in your prayers; pray she doesn't get too distracted by the latest "adventure." This Friday marks her second treatment. Four more after this!

CHINA

Well, it's official. I'm going to Hong Kong and China. It's official because I purchased my tickets on Monday. Whew! It was a huge relief! Now I gotta save the moola for hotel, food, souvenirs and other expenses such as my Visa and new tennis shoes for the walking! I'm too exctied! Here is one of my favorite paintings from China:

Poet on A Mountain by Shen Chou

Chemotherapy

I'm not sure what I expected, but chemotherapy is a long wait. Mom's appointment was at 1:30 where she was checked by the doctor first and then chemo. Since it was the first time, it took a little longer. We didn't get back to the 'therapy' room until 2:30. We were prepared though. Drew and I brought cards, dominos, books and my iPod. We ended up just talking and playing cards and if Mom would have let us we would have raced each other on the stools with wheels, but she said no. :( When we walked in there were about 15 recliners with more than half filled with people receiving treatment. The drugs are given through IV. Mom has a port in her chest so she doesn't have to be stuck each time with a needle. To see what this looks like click here. First given is her pre-meds which include an anti-nausea drug and antihistamine and some others I can't remember. There is also a bag of saline solution that helps flush everything through the blood stream. The pre-meds take about 10 minutes to go through. The next to drugs take about an hour each to drip in. I think they were called tamoxifen and taxotere. The last drug is a combo of Cytoxan and adriamycin. It's a red color and some people call it the Red Devil or the Scarlet Angel. It's pushed in by the nurse over a ten minute time period through a big syringe. We left the dr's at 6pm. The nurse, Linda, by the way she was awesome!!!, said oh yeah, go out and eat something you'll be fine tonight! So we did. We went for Chinese. Yummy.

Saturday we sorta slept in and laid around a little bit. We also did a couple of exercises to get the blood pumping. I also made chicken and rice for lunch. I thought it was pretty good. Later I went and visited Grandma, who is in the hospital for pneumonia. She's better but still weak. She'll need to be moved to physical therapy to regain her strength. Then I went and saw Dad for a bit. I was coming back into town and there was a huge traffic jam. I forgot that there was a Razorback basketball game and so I turned around and headed back to Farmington and took the back roads around all the traffic. I stopped at Ozark Natural Food store to pick up some L-Glutamine for mom. Sheesh, that's expensive!! $28 for about 3/4 cup of powder. It's supposed to help achy joints; a side effect from the chemo. That night Roger came over for lasanga and a movie. I Captured the Castle is a strange movie. I'm not sure I would recommend it.

Sunday we cleaned up a little and hung out until I left. I'm just saying that traveling at night is the way to go. NO TRAFFIC!! Dallas was a breeze to get around. It helped too that it was a Sunday.

I called Mom on Monday to see how it went and she said she finally threw up but it made her feel a lot better. So there ya go! I tried on the wig Aunt Paula sent for Mom. I definitely look different as a short haired brunette. Patrick tried it on too. Maybe I can weasel the pictures from Mom and post them here. Good for blackmail. :)

At first I thought the first chemo treament would be the worst, but I was informed I was wrong. Keep Mom in your prayers. We are waiting for the results of a PET scan to see if the cancer is anywhere else in her body. The waiting is the worst!!

Her friends are so incredible! Drew (oldest younger brother) is awesome too. It's like he's a totally different person. He has bent over backwards to be there for Mom. Wow!