I'm still alive!

Wow! I didn't realize that I had not blogged since November. Life has been INSANE, to say the least. School takes up about 75% of my time, with class and homework and papers, etc. The rest of my time is split between helping at home, the dogs and Laurie's house, the occasional babysitting gig, and spending as much time with friends as I can fit in.

I am wrapping up Winter Quarter at Green River this week. Tomorrow, actually. A little less than 2 weeks off and then I jump head first into Spring Quarter. The first two quarters at GRCC, I did most of my classwork via computer, at home. Spring will be a whole new world! I have to go to school and sit in class everyday! Monday through Friday, I have class at 9am, 10am, and 11am. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I also have PE at 2pm. So, I will spending a whole lot of time in Auburn at GRCC! I have Children's Literature, Child Development, Math (Algebra), and Aerobic Walking. Fun times.

Let's see....back in November, we were told that my Grandpa had Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) and the doctor would be scheduling surgery as soon as possible. We waited to hear, and waited, and waited. Finally, we heard from a friend that my Grandpa's doctor had retired. Sure enough, he had, and without telling anyone! So, we got a new doctor, and had surgery scheduled for January 20th. The week before, the doctor decided the cancer was too complicated, as it had spread to the renal vein and renal artery and was encroaching on the aorta and vena cava. Soooo, Grandpa went to yet another doctor, this time in Seattle, and we scheduled a new surgery. FINALLY, on February 17th, Grandpa had his surgery at UWMC and it went better than anyone expected. He was home in less than a week and has been healed up very nicely. It's been a very complicated process and we're not done. He will have more scans in a few months and there are some other things that need to be investigated, but for now, he is cancer free.

Grandpa has been having problems with confusion for awhile now, but my Grandma was in total denial. He is finally going to be seeing a neurologist soon, to determine a course of action or if there is even anything that can be done. On top of all of this, my Grandma's health has been steadily declining. With all of this going on, and my mom trying to fit work hours in, I drive back and forth between Laurie's house and my Grandparent's house, to help out when they need it. My poor car is exhausted!

I will be riding the bus to school as much as possible this spring, since I will be going 5 days a week. That's a lot of gas and money I can save, by using public transporation. I have to drive a little ways to the bus station, pretty early in the morning, but it drops me off right in front of the school, so I can't really complain.

The end of March, all of April,and the first weekend of May are going to be very busy and very exciting. Besides school, I have my best friend bridal shower, Easter, My 30th birthday, a visit to Central Washington University in Ellensburg (2+ hours away), and finally, Jessica's wedding in Oregon! I couldn't be happier for Jess and Jeremy. They are perfect together.

Ok, I have a final paper due tomorrow and I'm basically procrastinating by writing this blog. Back to work....