Friday, June 27, 2008

The story of the Bestest and her beloved "Grandma"

So some of you who read this know me well, some of you don't, and there's probably those random few that find this blog and don't know me at all (and Matt probably won't even post until camps are over - and probably will wait until August when I show him how)...well, i'll fill you in on some history.  I am a Baylor University graduate (Sic'em Bears).  I majored in Forensic Science with minors in History, Criminal Justice, and Chemistry (and one class away from a minor in Biology).  I was pre-med and pre-law, a decision that was made by organic chemistry (really that stuff was like a martian language to me).  So now I'm starting my final year of law school in August.  Well - there you have it...that's me...well at lest educationally speaking.  Now let's get to the good part of college, and no, I'm not talking about Kappa Alpha Theta (although fun), parties, or even the sporting events - I'm talking about the "BESTEST." 

That's right, I said it...so let me continue.

The BESTEST is a huge concept to grasp (read this part slowly) - it is a person who is better than a best friend.  She is another sister - a person so close to your heart that it clear she is family. Insert flashback - first day of orientation at Baylor University.  I lived with Meredith Corbly in dorm room - (525?) well who remembers, on the 5th floor of Collins Hall (side note: Love you Mere, so glad we were roomies with our own bathroom!!)  A girl who lived in the dorm room right next door (I'm talking shared a wall) - was asking who wanted to go to choir try-outs.  Ok, we've all been there - you don't know anyone, but you for sure don't want to go by yourself to try-outs!  So I said sure (do not fear, not to sing, just to support this girl).  What this girl failed to mention was that try-outs were ACROSS campus - Baylor's not that big, but it was a long walk - in mid-day Texas heat in August.  However, thank goodness because that began the BESTEST relationship.  Now there are funny stories along our years at Baylor - freshmen in dorms, roomates at Sterling, roomates at her parents house, drinking parties (I drank, she held my hand/hair when I regretted drinking hours later), NINFAS, spring breaks in florida....and many more..

However, here's some background on the bestest - she is originally from WACO, TX (well, Crawford, but so close - just minutes).  So you might ask yourself what this means - It means I have family in Texas.  Two parents who are close to my heart - I call them my Texas Mom and Dad and of course my Texas brother (who I joke I've known since he was 12 - but I think he was 15...long story).  I've slept at their house (yes they took me in for multiple weeks), I eaten with them (love the BBQ and oh my gosh this dessert thing TX mom makes is phenomenal), I've celebrated with them, I've laughed with them, and I've cried with them (sad and happy times)...However, it wasn't until last night that I grieved with them.

In my years of knowing the bestest and her family, I had the pleasure of meeting Texas Mom's Mom - "Grandma." (And yes, that is what I called her too, even though we weren't "technically" related).  As some of you know I don't always make the best first impressions, I was brought up independent, loud, sarcastically funny, and well with the ability to love and live my life...and at first I thought that was too much for Grandma!  Insert flashback number 2 - trip to Jason's Deli with Grandma, Bestest, Texas Mom, Bestest's brother, and myself.  We sat at a huge circular table - Grandma heard me sing and Bestest's brother dance (and yes, inside Jason's).  Now that was torture enough - trust me I sing like a frog attempting a mating call and the brother well, he dances like - actually there is no good analogy here - but Grandma laughed.  Then when I was graduating my parents came into town, that Sunday we all went to the Bestest's family church (I was there most every Sunday from sophomore year to senior year - Robinson Drive United Methodist - great friends/great memories), and guess who was in town Grandma (I was a Dec. graduate, and she spent all Christmas' in Waco).  Well, my mom sat next to her and Grandma (who had a bad arm) said to my mom "I bet this arm is in your way?" and my mom said "I bet not, I bet it is my hips!" And again, Grandma was laughing.  I thought this church service was where I would say goodbye to the bestest (and hoped it wouldn't be forever). I was crying in the car - and my Dad decided to go to Fudrucker's for lunch.  We get out of the car, and you will never guess who was there - Bestest and her whole family (apparently this stint was not planned by the parents).  Anyways, my dad decided to celebrate Grandma's birthday there - now let me say that 1) it was not her birthday and 2) my dad might have added of say 10 years to Grandma.  Now this was unknown to the Fudrucker's staff so, pictures were taken, songs were sang, and yummy treat was given to Grandma- and she loved it, ok ok slightly embarassed, but once she knew there was no stopping my dad, her smile was huge and she rather enjoyed some of that tasty treat!

I share this with you (since this really is just a post about me, and not about Matt - sorry Baby)...because Grandma passed away last night in her hometown of Jasper, Indiana at a local hospital there.

I want the Bestest and her family to know that they are in my thoughts and prayers, and believe me - I might not have all my questions about the whole "after-life" situation answered, but there is one thing I know...I know that Grandma is somewhere with Papere (my grandfather who passed away last fall) - in a place where GREAT people go. Hopefully looking down, watching and laughing (I laugh daily at myself when nobody is watching, sometimes it is such a good "screw-up" or something else that I hope someone caught it and can laugh with me) - where her arm is healed and her spirit is full of youthful joy, happiness, and innocence.  

So thank you Texas family for letting myself and my family get to know this fantastic woman, spend time with her, laugh with her, and love with her. There is nothing I can say or do to take away the pain, but know that you are loved and thought of in this time and always!





Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Raced for a cure, but someone's still sick!







Downtown St. Louis was a sea of pink on Saturday, June 21st, as nearly 64,000 breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, and supporters gathered for the 10th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure. The event raised $3.3 MILLION, the largest amount in the history of the race!! Can you imagine that? Well you could if you were there - and I WAS! I drove up to St. Louis on Thursday after work with my mother. My twin sister, Robyn flew in on Friday morning. After a good night's rest (ha ha ha) we were up-and-at-it around 4 am on Saturday. By the time we (and by we, I mean: Me, my mom, twin sister Robyn, oldest sister Kimberly, brother-in-law Jeff, and nephews Logan 4, Carter 2) got to the Race (early for the freebies) it was already swamped. We headed straight for the sponsor booths, and I can already tell you what the best freebie was this year...A PINK CAPE!!!! Oh I'm totally not kidding!! Everyone has always wanted to be a superhero at some in time in their life - you know you have, and now with a cape you felt like you were 1/2 way there, add in 63,999 other people with you all for the same cause - you were a superhero, if only for a day. The race was fantastic - beautiful weather, fun shirts everywhere (such as: Save Second Base - where my sisters and I had to tell my mom exactly what "second base" really was), great attitudes (yes, my 4 yr. old nephew Logan got a high-five and tons of thank-yous from a 5 year survior about 1/4 a mile before the finish line...did i mention that he ran?), great family (it was absolutely phenomenal to spend such a time bonding with women in my family over a disease that primarily effects women - i am so thankful to have such a great female support group in my family), and most importantly the feeling of making a difference. I think that gets lost these days. I used to do a lot of charity work when I lived in Texas. Since moving to Birmingham, I've done little to none. That will change. And I know when I move to C'ville I'll definitely get involved in something. In fact, I've already checked - the Race for the Cure is either Washington D.C. or Richmond, VA - but Matt and I both think the D.C. one sounds great - so look for an additional 2 racers next June in DC for Race for the Cure!

Matt was sick again on Sunday...and this time far worse than the other day. So after a visit to the ER, needles, tubes, x-rays, blood work, and catscans - he's feeling better, taking things slower, and learning how to relax. I think this was a scare for the whole family (mine and Matt's) but luckily he got an almost clean bill of health (let's face it, nobody has a clean bill of health) and was sent home without an over-night stay. He went in on Sunday when 110 kiddos were checking into one of UVA's fantastic women's basketball camps. Now don't get me wrong, I love the kiddos in my family - but 110 kiddos (needless to say all female) - who wouldn't be sent to the ER in that situation? Well, those kiddos - after a phenomenal camp - check out later today. I know what you are thinking - "Woo-hoo! Matt gets to take a break and rest his strained body!"- well, not exactly. Campers check in tomorrow for UVA's Women's Elite Camp - so at least it doesn't range all the way down to 3rd graders and it is girls who take women's basketball seriously and are very very talented. (Reminds me of when I went to Auburn's Elite Women's Basketball Camp summer before my senior year in high school - I went up against a huge girl - her name was Baby Shaq -not kidding, that is what they called her - so yeah, let's face it...as 5'7'' I was screwed...oh the joys!)

So this week is just another day at the office for both Matt and I...I'm stuck in a room researching on Lexis all day (I get here no later than 6:15 am - so by all day I mean until 2:15)...and Matt is running from gym to gym, dorm to dorm, rounding up 110 kiddos, getting them to their rightful parents (it was trouble last year - girl stuck at airport - can't get on flight...anyways..), and other various and sundry things that go with being a camp director.



Friday, June 20, 2008

Mr. "Sicky Poo" and Miss. Cure

ok...so the title probably doesn't make sense...so let me explain....

Matt is sick - and we aren't talking that famous quote of my grandmother's... "oh, i've just got a tickle in my throat." No, we are talking an "i'm leaving work, going to the doctor and getting in bed" sickness. Now let's back up - this would probably be a normal course of action for people who are sick but Matt and doctors just don't seem to agree (EXCEPT for Matt and my father - who is a doctor). So when Matt decided to see a doctor and of course his loving fiancee agreed with him - we knew it wasn't just a "bug." So...as Matt stays in bed getting better - I still gingerly refer to him as Mr. Sicky Poo (the name ALWAYS used in the Wallace family, even to this day for ANY sick person)....However, here's hoping he gets better fast - because in 2 days 110 kiddos are coming to UVA basketball camp!!! Wa-Hoo-Wa!

now, one would probably assume that Miss. Cure would mean that I was in VA tending to Matt's sickness - and although I considered it, Matt said for me to continue on with my mother to the Lou! And I'm not talking about the famous "potty pals" - and every single woman knows what that phrase means...No, I'm talking about St. Louis...that's right, my mother and I drove up here last night after I got off work. Tomorrow morning is the annual St. Louis Susan G. Komen RACE FOR THE CURE! I've been doing the Race for the Cure ever since I lived in Waco, but the St. Louis one is my favorite - it's huge, and by that I mean the nation's largest!!! So my mom, my twin sister Robyn, my oldest sister Kimberly, and my nephew Logan are "running" in the Race tomorrow to "SAVE THOSE TATAS!!!" with other people in a group from Kimberly's husbands' company, Blue Chip Exterminating.

Monday, June 16, 2008

MEET THE MARLOWS IS CREATED!

Hi everyone...and of course by that I'm not even sure who "everyone" is.  Anyways, Matt and I decided to start a family blog.  Although we both know we aren't part of each other's family just yet, it would just be ridiculous to have to change a blog site in a little over a year.  So with that being said, I guess it's time to welcome you to MEET THE MARLOWS! We would like to take this opportunity to thank Meredith Brewer for the idea and fantastic heading she designed for us! Thanks Mere!! I'm not sure how often Matt and I will post, but both of us will post with updates about our lives together and particularly for the next year, our wedding plans.