Jewels

This question means a lot to me right now, as my mother has stage IV cancer and her prognosis is that she probably has about a year to live. In many ways, I read this question as really being about what I want for my mother before she dies, not what I want before I die. When we heard the diagnosis, I initially thought of the trips we should take and the things we should do. I still wish that could be possible, but since they identified the cancer, she has had three major surgeries in ten months and has been hospitalized multiple times with other problems. She has undergone radiation and is now trying to complete her course of chemotherapy. She’s not doing well enough to expect that we will ever have enough “normal” to be able to take that dream vacation or do that something special that she has always wanted to do but never took the time. So, then, the question becomes something very different. What do I want for her before she dies? I want her to: - Know she is loved, not just by me, but by the friends and family who will come forward to say all the meaningful things when she is gone; - Have a pain-free day, without the haze of pain medication in her head; - Think clearly and have some days that are like the ones when she was younger, or, better yet, when she hadn’t been touched by the cancer at all; - Laugh without having to make an effort or just because she’s putting on a good, positive attitude, but simply because her heart feels light; - Feel well enough to do something other than flip on the tv . . . or flip it back off again; - Be able to walk across the room without an unsteady wobble; - Let go of any anxiety; - Sleep with a smile on her face and wake feeling refreshed; - Know that she’ll be okay, whatever comes next; - Know that I’ll be okay, whatever comes next; - Know that she has lived well enough that anything left undone is not left as a regret, but simply something left to dream about. . . . And as for me, I want to be able to accept it and to give Mom my best, even if none of these wishes come true, knowing that they may not. Oh . . . and I'd like to see what it's like to be a redhead. TPM Sister #102

Happy day! I don't know what time zone you're in to know if it's today or tomorrow, but apply my good wishes to whichever appropriate day and enjoy!

I have to respect that. I love Mario. TPM Sister #102

There's the 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey Team in the Olympics against Russia, which chokes me up every time I see replays. That's first, but not far behind that is Ray Bourque FINALLY winning the cup. I love those moments! TPM Sister #102

You never looked more beautiful! Congratulations!!

I never knew that about you. Aren't the Guzzis supposed to be Harley-like, anyway? And what do you think about the MV Agusta sale? Is that good or bad? TPM Sister #102

Oh, I see. How did you get interested in those? TPM Sister #102

I'd say you made a good deal on that one!

I remember the yellow and black one, but I think you got rid of it a while ago, didn't you? TPM Sister #102

Doesn't have to be.

Are you talking about the motorcycle or Batman for a boyfriend? The MV baby, all TRUE bike riders want an MV F4 Well, I was talking about the MV, but that was before I knew Batman was an option! TPM Sister #102

Jewels, If troy buys anthing thing that is not a Vtwin (or an MV) kick him in the nuts I think we're safe. We actually saw The Dark Knight tonight and were appreciating the MV Agusta in there. He wants one badly. I don't blame him. Heck, I want one badly and I can't even ride a motorcycle, let alone one with that kind of power! TPM Sister #102

So . . . are the F4s at the top end of the spectrum or are they just different? If I have this right, I think Troy said that they're the only ones to have that configuration. TPM Sister #102

You don't have to have that answer. I was just curious. All I know is that I really like being on the back of his Ducati. Beyond that, I'm learning about motorcycles SLOWLY. Engines sound different because they're constructed on different principles, different exhaust configurations result in different kinds of power, blah, blah, blah. I don't know the details. I still need very basic identifiers! TPM Sister #102

NICE. That looks like fun. Do all MV Agustas have four exhaust pipes in the back? That's the only real clue I know to look for to identify them (assuming you aren't where you can read the big "MV Agusta" on the side of the bike). TPM Sister #102

The fact that I even know what an MV Agusta is is amazing in itself. Getting to tell my friend Troy about the news first . . . AWESOME. Thanks for the update, Squeak!

And your head is better proportioned to the rest of you than your avatar, too.

You look nothing like your avatar! That last picture looks like batman had a bad day and ran into the glass. Kidding aside, though, I think it looks great! Have fun with it! TPM Sister #102

Good grief. And then you can add up the hourly opportunity cost for figuring out the price difference in present and future value of the iPhone and related phone plan charges, then determine whether this cost should be allocated to the old iPhone, the new iPhone, or both, and your costs have gone up yet again. Then you need to calculate the present and future value of the intangible benefit of having the latest and greatest iPhone available, and allocate THAT cost as well, correlating it to any negative impacts of keeping the old iPhone. Or, you could look at a comparison of present value costs for each phone and plan, weigh the general benefit to you, and then decide whether the new phone is worth the additional expense. TPM Sister #102

It NEVER occurs to me to think that about other people in the movie theater alone! I've gone to the movies by myself plenty of times and they don't make you wear any incriminating badges to identify you or anything. Besides, with THIS particular movie, they would probably look at you and think, "Her boyfriend won't see this with her, either!" Or, you could take a female friend if you really don't want to go by yourself. TPM Sister #102

Great. Now I can't get Pierce Brosnan's singing voice out of my head. TPM Sister #102

That's a LOT of ecstasy. I'll bet it has been all over the news down there. TPM Sister #102

Awwww! Cuties! You might also check with Deer Creek Animal Hospital. They might have some suggestions for you. You're right--it's too dangerous to leave them out there alone. They'll never get past all the beasties. TPM Sister #102

I liked the Turkey O'Toole.

LOL! Good point. We need to make sure these aren't donations. What should we extract from him as payment in return? TPM Sister #102