Mia Momma:ammoM aiM

Last Thursday my Momma Mary Ann and Sister Theresa drove down from Kansas, arriving a bit later than anticipated due to a tire blowout 11 miles outside of Austin.  The Texas State Highway Roadside Assistance on Loop 1 helped them out with the spare and around one o'clock in the morning, I woke to see Theresa's face hovering above me exclaiming, "I love your bald head!" 

We had an unseasonably warm and welcoming weekend for these two to thaw out and get acquainted with the Life of Moe.  My friend's at Casis Village Shell Station quickly and kindly helped us fit the Cadillac with 4 new tires early Saturday morning, knowing that it was due back in Kansas on Monday morning.

Saturday afternoon found us laughing with old and new friends around the table, cutting out inspirational words, images and quotes as we made our 2023 "vision" boards and Mary Ann received beautiful roses and a gorgeous begonia plant from friends.

Sunday Mom was escorted by the lovely Melissa to one of Austin's most beautiful Catholic churches.  She was overjoyed to get reacquainted with Melissa and to go the last mass of the advent season, with the church resplendent in all of the holiday finery.   

We were sad to see Theresa off earlier that morning, but she made it home safely as Mom and I watched Downtown Abbey, A New Era and dined on steak salad and tomato soup.  

A new era indeed, for mom and me, for the next few weeks anyway.  I'm fiercely independent (I get it from her) and used to living alone and she is used to small town living and cohabitating with my sister, Lisa.  We are settling in nicely though, and it is comforting to have her here.  My friends are stepping in to help out too, which is truly amazing, especially with the things I have limited energy or patience for, and yesterday she even walked herself to a new bistro that just opened around the corner from the house.  She is most happy with the warmer weather Texas currently has to offer and quickly learning new routines.

Today she will accompany me to my tenth Taxol session, and I am happy to report that I am still feeling pretty good, fairly "normal" except for the hot flashes that have become frequent overnight and occasional throughout the day.  Seeing the surgeon last week has me optimistic as she is confident things are progressing well (or, in the cancer's case, regressing) and we will peer inside a little deeper with an MRI next Tuesday.  

So, the new year is beginning with sunny days and happy moments with family and friends.  I couldn't be more pleased.  I hope yours is as well.