$100!

Who would you donate $100 to? That was the question my youngest daughter's school poses to them each year for an essay question. While most head straight towards breast cancer- that one is easy, just about everyone knows someone that has been affected and or lost someone. Some tackle rare deceases closer to home. Some want to support the troops- ALWAYS HONORABLE!
I got home late last night from school (my quest for world domination- okay maybe not that- I'll "settle" for my Masters) at 10:30 pm after a LONG full day at work. My kids were all in bed - normal, even during a break- have I ever mentioned I've got GREAT kids- I do! As I walked through the door, sticking out was a notepad on my office (Thirty-One Company) desk. I picked it up to see what it was figuring it was a "Dear Mom, went through the new catalog- it's awesome- again- January 4th I want..."
Instead, I found what was inside my 10 year-old's heart...
Her essay contained nothing but love for me, a little fear that she may someday be diagnosed with a disease that has no cure, and hope that her $100 donation to the National MS Society would continue to help provide the valuable time she has with me.
Powerful words from someone so young... so while I have no idea what the outcome will be for the actual contest. I do know she continues to win my heart over...

MRI Trackers

For those of you keeping track... yes my MRI did come back with great results... After all these years my MS has not continued to "get worse". Something that is of some sort of miracle! My hand on the other hand (sorry folks) is another story. Grant it, I did have to do a TON of typing this week. Between a paper and work, I've been on my computer quite a bit. That stinks! My hand has not had a break. My bruise is a deep one, so on the surface of my hand is the tale-tell light brown shades of bruises. But to the touch- Ice pick feelings all the way. Gripping items is so painful it makes me wince. But I have been trying as I might to grin and bare it as much as I can.
I guess all things considering, I'm lucky. But today my eye is twitching, and I am NOT in the mood to deal with that! Not in the slightest...

Ready for my bed! Too bad its 5 and I won't see it till almost 9!

Makes me ready for the beach!

Drum roll please!

Well the results are in! After a HORRIBLE MRI last Friday (with a nice bruise to show for it), my results are in...
Finding out I had MS in 2005 about killed me! Finding out I had 4 lesions was a blow... how long had this gone on? How did I not know... Oh the questions... They swarmed... I did get lots of answers... National MS Society Great resource!

The years continued on and if you have been following along you know.. I've visited the "tube" a few times...

Well the results are in... yep... since my initial 2004 "finding" I have 4 lesions! (STILL) NO MORE! Yep! My medication is kicking butt and taking names! My one lesion continues to shrink! - love it! and I have another that "seems" smaller although they would NOT go as far to say that, but noted the dimensions as appearing smaller (SAME THING IF YOU ASK ME!)

So... a WIN in my category! Now... if only I could get my hand to stop hurting!

Naps are good- right?

Why did we give up nap time? I mean when we were little we were told "take a nap". Then we got all big for ourselves and didn't need a stupid nap. Oh let me tell you- 10 am, yeah I'm ready! 2 pm doesn't sound to bad either! I think we forgot along the way how great naps are.

My dogs haven't, that's for sure. Those two run around like crazy teens, then bust into the house and poof- what- nap time... Nice. Now don't get me wrong I don't want to be a dog, licking myself isn't on my to-do list. But seriously, I wouldn't mind laying on the couch, moving to my bed, and then back to the couch, go for a walk, eat, drink some water, go for a walk, take a nap... Okay maybe the dog thing isn't that bad...

I wouldn't have to worry about finding matching shoes in the morning. But I am sure I am not prepared to just give up shoes. Ah, shoes! One of my wonder vices. Another reason I need a nap...

I've taught her how to nap well!

World wind travel

If someone told me that a person with MS would drive 17 hours straight I would laugh at you... oh wait... that person is me! Seriously! Florida to Ohio! Then tragedy struck and with my Grandmother's passing a service in Michigan was added to my trip. Almost 6 hours away, I had to figure out my plans. I needed to get home (Florida) but service was Saturday. So I did what any normal person would do. Saturday morning, I drove to Michigan (6 hours) attended the service, then drove home (6 hours). I then used Sunday to rest my eyes, legs, hip, and most importantly my back (we will leave my rear end out of it). Then Monday came, at 5:05 I had my 2 kids in the car and we "rolled". Well they slept, I rolled... I drove home...16 1/2 hours later I pulled into the drive. Nuts? Maybe. Driven, Ha! I know that is rather funny. But I have always loved to drive. I guess with MS that is one of my biggest fear. THAT DAY. The day when I can no longer drive, not 16 hours but for 5 minutes. It's a reality I know. Hopefully not for a long long time, but when that day comes it will be about as bad as the day I found out. Some things you just can't get back. My freedom to come and go, that will be a big one.
Since I could drive I have always loved the ability to "just go". Back in Ohio I would drive around when things were "yucky" and enjoy the scenery, well gas was around $1 at that time. When things were real bad, I made the drive up North to the lake to take it all in. That freedom of the drive, is something I can't image not having. So when people ask me, "why on earth would you do it?" It's simple... cause I can!
Love hitting the road!                                    Drive in style!

  States always welcome you                         The leaves are beautiful        

Just nothing like the views!

Leg Pain

Two weekends in a row... what gives? I think if I slowed down during the week and rested I would probably find the same thing, but for the last two weekends the minute I rest my legs let me know that they are NOT happy. The pain I feel in BOTH legs is so not cool. This weekend I ended up wrapping BOTH legs in ace bandages and did feel instant relief. BUT the point is, I didn't get to LIVE my life. I had a "to do" list that just didn't get DONE. My floors didn't get clean, my rock garden out front- not weeded (I actually like doing that), and I didn't trim the branches to this really cool growing (yes I am growing stuff) plant! I had school work too.... nope didn't touch it. I did manage to get to a party. That was super awesome. Not because I got out, not because the party was awesome (okay the party was awesome), but because it was one thing on my "to do list" that did get DONE. I did take Lizzy to the library, but only because in getting costumes I talked her into the cutest costume and then when we got home she reminded me why she needed a costume to begin with. OOPPS! Funny thing about my memory! So yeah, come to remember (not sure why she didn't bring this up) she was reading a story about witches and would do her report on that- so she needed a witch costume. We did find a new book to match her costume so all is not lost... Ahh...
Now it's Monday and honestly, I think my legs are at it again! I take enough medication that really this shouldn't be an issue... the fact that I can stay awake... That is a miracle!

Well- at least I got some stuff done- right?

Kidding right?

So I went back to school for my Masters cause I guess in my head I figured if I did it now it would be better than later... That sounds good! As I sit in my class I swear my instructor is talking to hear himself talk because he has yet to say anything I have needed to hear... For this I am paying how much? All I keep thinking is I could be in bed, snuggling. I could be on my couch, watching something cool- or I could be doing I don't know ANYTHING but sitting here! Instead I am fighting to keep my eyes open, maybe because of shear boredom, maybe because I have been up since 5:45am... but I am convinced that the last week of class is by design is created to torture us! Plain and simple...

My body aches and now so does my brain.... 10 pm could not come any sooner! I am floating in a dream state... I wish!