I'm home

I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Arkansas with my parents -- and a host of other relatives I hadn't seen in years -- and I'm home again. Pete, my lifesaver of a husband, flew to Fort Smith Sunday afternoon so that, three hours later, he could get in the car with me and drive home (how did I have my car? because he drove it out two weeks ago and flew home leaving me with it - his love truly knows no bounds). We broke the drive up into two days -- one 4-hour, one 7-hour, so that it wouldn't be too taxing.
It was a hard decision to make --do i stay or leave? But mom's strength has multiplied at least 300% since I got there on the 11th and they didn't really need my help anymore. My brother Peter is currently visiting, and will stay about a week (I think). Her latest sample of spinal fluid shows the chemo she's on is working, so it's supposed to be a good report. I'm hoping to go back soon, but classes start for me on the 27th and I needed a few days at home before becoming a full-time student again. (and if I don't take the GRE in the next 3 weeks Pete will wring my neck!)
I hate that it takes so much coordination just to see my family -- an 11-hr drive or minimum 2-plane flight -- it really makes times like these hard!!!

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

Time to go Dark (for a bit at least)

So my mom's cancer has returned. It's in her spine this time (CNS Lymphoma) -- the prognosis isn't good. I'm going to go be with her for the next little while, don't know when I'll come home. Please know that any kind thoughts are more than appreciated.

Guess where we're taking Hannah next week!

Uptown Hounds -- a new place in town with a 'pooches only' pool! Now we don't have to wait until Labor Day weekend for our pooch to plunge!