Monday Mom Thoughts

Oh, I could have said Monday Mumblings - what would you have thought of that, Jen? Imitation is the greatest form of flattering and I really thought of imitating Jen 's usual Monday title - because I just don't have any idea what to call this!
This past weekend Bridgette and I went to my moms. I love going to my moms. Her goal was to eat at restaurants every meal. I told her I didn't really care, but she said she did. Since becoming a widow this past fall, every time she goes out, she sits across from...no one. Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever heard? So, we went out to eat a lot! And shopped - which was great because I get pooped really easy, but I had to pick up a bunch of stuff for the upcoming SAMmy's retreat...and I got it all done! Yeah! We had lots of fun - we stayed up late chatting and watching cable. Mostly chatting - the tv was just on for background noise. And, I went to my mom's church with her. This meant the world to her. Growing up, my parents were different religions and she had to sign a paper when she got married that the kids would be raised my dad's religion, so I always went to church with my dad. I am not my mom's religion as an adult (or my dad's), and frankly I would have loved to have gone to the church I attended when I lived in that town my mom lives in, but I knew my mom had her heart set on us going to church with her. She has a really nice church. And, really - as long as it's Christian - I'm not stuck on any certain religion as long as there is not anything doctrinally that I am directly opposed to...and there's not at this church. They were celebrating that they have over 1,000 attendees every weekend. That's pretty impressive! And, I must say - the message was really powerful. The music, too. I'm glad we went.
While I was driving to my mom's Saturday morning, I gave my friend Cathy a call. She was telling me how every once in while - three times a year or so - she stays in her nightie until late morning and hangs around the house. She's onthe SAMmy's retreat committee, too - so we have a really busy week ahead of us. I encouraged her to hang loose! Just then, I heard a rucus on her end, and she started whispering.
"Pennie, I'm in the pantry."
I could just picture this. Her pantry is this big closet off her kitchen with a few shelves for food, a hook for her broom - you know, a pantry!!!
"What are you doing in the pantry? And why are we whispering?" I loudly whispered back through giggles. You see, Cathy is a friend/partner in crime. I could tell this was going to be good.
"Kim's (a mutual friend) husband is at the door. I'm in my jammies!!!" She giggled with mock panic. I could imagine how revealing her jammies must be.
All I could do was laugh. The good thing was, James couldn't hear my laughs - because they were LOUD!
"I hope he doesn't find me. The girls are talking to him." She has 9 year old twins, a first grader (I think...or is she a preschooler?) and a four-year old.
"Oh my gosh!" she whispered loudly, "the girls just told him I was in the pantry! Ava just asked if I was making coffee in the pantry! How could I be making coffee in the pantry????"
By this time, I was holding my stomach - I think I was laughing uncontrollably. I felt like I was in the pantry with her...which, in a way, I was...I was on her ear, after all.
I heard Cathy shout, "James! I can't come out!" Pause. "I just can't." Pause. "Um. I'm not dressed! I'm in my jammies! Kyle's not here! I'm sorry...you'll have to go now..." Or something like that.
After he left, we laughed for a long time.
I stopped by shortly thereafter to drop off something for the retreat. Kyle had come home from hunting. He didn't think it was near as funny as we did. When I let myself into Cathy's house (I don't think I ever knock...she never hops in pantries for me...), she was on the phone.
With Kim.
Kim was teasing her.
That's what friends are for, I guess. I know I'm going to laughing about this for a long time.
Today I start a new treatment. Every day this week, I'm spending two hours at the hospital getting a steroid infusion - an I.V. of steroids. A really high dose. It's supposed to keep this flare up from spreading, which it's about time!!!! That's the beauty of getting a diagnosis, I guess. The only side effect is that I will be super hyper. The nurse said I'll get a lot of housework done. I'm actually looking forward to it! This MS had kind of kicked my butt - I've been falling asleep everywhere - like an old man! I was so worried, because I have this SAMmy's retreat coming up - and I'm the keynote speaker - I thought, "What am I going to do if I am falling asleep all the time - what if it's my turn to talk...or even if it's not and I'm supposed to be listening to somebody ELSE and I fall asleep at the table???" Wouldn't that be MORTIFYING - this is my organization. Anyhow, so now I'll just be hyper. Cathy told me her nephew was on prednisone (I think that's what they use - I've been bombarded by info, but for some reason, that's what I remember) and he was zipping around the room. So, Kami...you're rooming with me, you lucky gal!!!! ha ha
All that to say - once again, things seem to be working out for the best! I'm so thankful! And, if you see Cathy...ask her how things are looking in her pantry! ;)